008/06
27 February 2006
Minister urges consumers: “don’t take the bait”
Australia ’s banks and credit unions today announced they will join forces with the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce to warn Australians about fraudulent phishing scams, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, said today.
“As part of their contribution to the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, Australia’s banks and credit unions have advised their customers that they will neversend them an email asking for their personal security details,” Senator Coonan said.
“This measure will ensure consumers are aware that any such message from a bank or credit union is not real.”
Phishing refers to fraudulent messages, usually sent via email, which are used to gain access to personal and banking information.
These fraudulent messages appear to come from legitimate businesses, most commonly banks and credit unions, and are designed to lure recipients into disclosing personal data such as bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.
“Phishing scams are increasingly sophisticated, often copying a bank’s logo and even website to lure consumers into providing their personal details. Some phishing scams try to entice consumers into clicking on a link which will not only upload malicious software onto a computer but steal personal information,” Senator Coonan said.
“For some time, the Government has worked to educate Australian consumers on scams and security threats in the online environment. A number of information brochures on security threats such as spyware and phishing have been released to educate Australian consumers of these dangers.
“Phishing: Don’t Take the Bait contains helpful tips on what to do if a consumer receives a phishing scam and information on who they can report it to. Today’s announcement from the banks and credit unions will hopefully make it easier for people to identify these false messages.”
The phishing brochure and other publications are available from www.dcita.gov.au/ie/consumer_information or by contacting spyware@dcita.gov.au Consumers who think they’ve spotted a phishing scam can get more information from the ScamWatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au , which posts information and warnings about the latest scams, or report it on 1300 795 995.
BACKGROUND
As part of a whole of Government approach to combat consumer fraud and scams targeted at consumers, the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce was established in March 2005 and comprises 18 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand.
Agencies participating in the Taskforce are:
Australian Government: Attorney General’s Department; Australian Bureau of Statistics; Australian Communications and Media Authority; Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; Australian Federal Police (represented by the Australian High Tech Crime Centre; Australian Institute of Criminology; Australian Securities & Investment Commission; Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts
New Zealand Government: NZ Commerce Commission; Ministry of Consumer Affairs State and Territory Governments: Australian Capital Territory – Office of Fair Trading; Consumer Affairs Victoria; New South Wales – Office of Fair Trading; Northern Territory – Department of Justice; Queensland – Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development; South Australia – Office of Consumer & Business Affairs; Tasmania – Office of Consumer Affairs & Fair Trading; Western Australia – Department of Consumer & Employment Protection.
The Taskforce welcomes the participation of private sector organisations in delivering its key messages. A list of the Taskforce’s private sector partners can be found at www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/scams/partners.asp