Published on Jul 26, 2024
Local Member for Finniss, David Basham MP, Sargent David Mitchell from South Australia Police CyberCrime Training and Prevention Section, Senior Constable Libby Bruce from Hills Fleurieu Crime Prevention Section, Senior Constable Jane McHugh, Victim Contact officer.
More than 120 residents registered and attended a session on SCAMS and CYBER SAFETY hosted by David Basham MP and presented by South Australia Police staff.
All of the notes and printouts are available at SAPOL - Scams and cybercrime (police.sa.gov.au)
#ScamsWeek24 will run from Monday 26 – Friday 30 August.
Scams Awareness Week 2024 | Scamwatch
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/research-and-resources/scams-awareness-week-2024
This year's campaign theme is 'Share a story, stop a scam'.
** Top Scams causing the most harm in 2023 are Investment ($1.3 bill)Assistance ($256 mill) and Sextortion (Emotional harm & $40 mill)
**Top contact methods for scammers: Text message (33%), Phone Call (29%), Email (22%), Internet (6%), Social networking/online forums (6%)
PHISHING: a method of stealing confidential information by sending fraudulent messages to a victim. It tricks people, looks like a real website with small typos, can come by email, text or voice – don’t trust the caller ID, avoid surveys and supplying mother’s maiden name and First pet.
** Areas and ways that share your information unawares and can be protected: Privacy settings, online friends, oversharing.
** Create strong passwords, don’t use the same one for everything and change them regularly.
A strong Password is a Phrase, with complex format of numbers/symbols and Uppercase.
** If it seems to good to be true – it probably is: ways to make money, requests to pay unusually, sad stories, links/attachments, pressure to act quickly, requests for new accounts or IDs.
** If suspicious preserve the evidence by taking screen shots, photo graph, Snipping tool or download social media.
** Other prevention methods: Back up important files, Use multi factor Authentication and update your devices regularly.
There are a variety of ways to get support and report any activity.
If you wish to report loss or damages then first report to cyber.gov.au – this is the only way a cyber crime can be investigated.
If you are a victim of a scam: cyber.gov.au
For general information, advice and updates:
Online E safety commissioner to help educate and remove harm:
IDCARE is a national identity and cyber support service.
Idcare.org
Scams take their toll emotionally – seek support for this aspect with Lifeline.
Wrapped up – be vigilant and aware of what you share and respond to. If it is too good to be true – it likely is. If in doubt delete (after you’ve take a screen shot) and don’t click on a link unless you are sure.
For more crime prevention tips regarding scams or cybercrime, please visit
SAPOL - Scams and cybercrime (police.sa.gov.au)
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/scams-and-cybercrime/scams-and-cybercrime
"Thank you to SAPOL for your diligent work in this space and we look forward to the Cyber Awareness week socials that Sargent David promised.
Stay safe"
LET US KNOW: What information forum/session would you like to see delivered in this electorate? finniss@parliament.sa.gov.au
