The ACCC’s Scamwatch wants to encourage Australians to talk about scams to increase awareness, educate and empower consumers to protect themselves. “Everyone will have encountered a scam at some point in their life and talking about scams can help people recognise the warning signs and avoid them.”
Scamwatch last year received over 215,000 reports about scams targeting Australians.
“People reported losing over $175 million, and when we count reports to other agencies and banks it’s over $850 million,” said the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch program.
Scamwatch is asking businesses to get involved in this year's Scams Awareness Week (8-12 November), an annual initiative of the ACCC and the Scams Awareness Network (SAN) - which is made up of government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand that work alongside private sector, community and non-government partners.
“This year, the theme is let’s talk scams,” said Scamwatch. “We want to encourage all Australians to talk about scams to increase awareness, educate and empower consumers to protect themselves. We know that everyone will have encountered a scam at some point in their life, and talking about scams can help people recognise the warning signs and avoid them.
“Businesses, not for profits and government organisations: We invite businesses to express their interest to partner with us by emailing ScamsAwarenessNetwork@accc.gov.au by Friday 10 September. Please outline some information about your business or organisation and industry when submitting your interest.
“Once you’re confirmed as a partner, you’ll receive some information to assist you to plan activities or messages to support the campaign. You can develop your own campaign activities and promote Scams Awareness Week in a way that best aligns with your brand and connects with your networks.
“Our partners can do as little or as much as they like to support the campaign, from sharing our content on social media throughout the week, to hosting their own events or activities. There is no obligation, but we encourage our partners to have fun with it!”
Individuals will also have the opportunity to participate in the campaign through social media and online activities throughout the week.
