Post by Banjo on Jun 16, 2011 5:20:55 GMT 7
Warning over 'Centrelink' phone scams
Kimberley residents have been warned to beware of unsolicited telephone calls offering refunds or grants, after several people were targeted by international scammers.
In Broome, several locals reported being told they were entitled to a Centrelink refund but would have to send cash by wire transfer to receive the money.
Other people have been told they were entitled to money from the government, the Australian Tax Office or a bank.
In all cases, people were told that they had to wire cash, sometimes hundreds of dollars, to a particular international Western Union account to receive the refund.
Consumer Protection senior regional officer Annetta Bellingeri said the scam seemed to be prevalent in WA, with similar reports in Karratha and Bunbury in recent weeks.
She said the money was difficult to trace and could not be recovered.
“Legitimate organisations don’t operate like this,” Ms Bellingeri said. “The idea of paying more money to receive a refund is nonsense.”
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9646269/warning-over-centrelink-phone-scams/
Kimberley residents have been warned to beware of unsolicited telephone calls offering refunds or grants, after several people were targeted by international scammers.
In Broome, several locals reported being told they were entitled to a Centrelink refund but would have to send cash by wire transfer to receive the money.
Other people have been told they were entitled to money from the government, the Australian Tax Office or a bank.
In all cases, people were told that they had to wire cash, sometimes hundreds of dollars, to a particular international Western Union account to receive the refund.
Consumer Protection senior regional officer Annetta Bellingeri said the scam seemed to be prevalent in WA, with similar reports in Karratha and Bunbury in recent weeks.
She said the money was difficult to trace and could not be recovered.
“Legitimate organisations don’t operate like this,” Ms Bellingeri said. “The idea of paying more money to receive a refund is nonsense.”
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9646269/warning-over-centrelink-phone-scams/