National Consumer Fraud Week – Get smarter with your personal data

National Consumer Fraud Week – Get smarter with your personal data

National Consumer Fraud Week 2015 - Get Smarter with Your Data

National Consumer Fraud Week 18 – 24 May 2015

An Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce initiative

If you haven’t stopped and thought about how you keep your private information secure, chances are you could be leaving it wide open for scammers to use for fraudulent purposes. When scammers steal your details, they can use them for all sorts of identity crime such as making unauthorised purchases on your credit card, or using your identity to open accounts such as banking, telephone or energy services, take out loans or carry out other illegal business under your name.

These days scammers are after more than just financial information. All your personal details including photos, date of birth, home address, Tax File Number or driver’s license numbers are valuable to scammers – these are your unique identification records that are often used to verify who you are.

A determined scammer will use a number of sneaky methods to steal your information. Scammers have been known to pay people to rummage through rubbish dumps looking for bills or bank statements, or to simply steal mail directly from people’s letterboxes. They also use the internet to search through public listings, social media profiles and even blog comments to piece together your details.

On a more sophisticated level, scammers create fake websites, fake online surveys and fake competitions with enticing prizes to ‘phish’ for your information. They also send official-looking emails or telephone you directly, pretending to be from a trusted source such as your bank, telecommunications provider, a government department or even a charity organisation, asking for your details.

You may not know you have had your identity stolen until you check your bank account, or find out that your credit rating has changed.

Having your identity stolen can be both financially and emotionally devastating. It can take months to reclaim your identity, and the impact of having it stolen can last for years. National Consumer Fraud Week 2015 is all about learning how to keep your personal data safe from scammers, and prevent identity theft from happening to you.

To leave scammers out in the cold, follow SCAMwatch’s Top 6 Protect Yourself tips:

  1. Keep your personal details secure: Your postal mail and your online presence are the first place a scammer will look to piece together your details. Lock your mailbox, and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing out. Be careful sharing information about yourself online, including social media, blogs and other online forums.
  1. Think twice about what you say and do in an online environment: Whilst there are times when your personal details are required for legitimate reasons, such as signing up to a new service or buying something, always check that the person or organisation is who they say they are. Stop and think before filling in surveys, entering competitions, clicking on links or attachments, or even ‘befriending’, ‘liking’ or ‘sharing’ something.
  2. Keep your mobile devices and computers secure: These are a treasure trove of personal information for scammers. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to a scammer – always use password protection, don’t share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your Wi-Fi network with a password and avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.
  1. Choose your passwords carefully: Passwords are often the only barrier between scammers and your valuable information. Set and use strong passwords which are difficult to guess, and change them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account/profile, and don’t share your passwords with anyone.
  2. Beware of any request for your details or money: Scammers will try to trick you into handing over your data by using the names of well-known companies or government departments. If you think it’s a scam, DON’T RESPOND. Use the phone book or an online search to check the organisation’s contact details. NEVER use the contact details provided in the original request.
  3. Get a copy of your credit report: Your credit report contains information on your credit history. You can get a free copy of your report every year to check that no-one is using your name to borrow money or run up debts. Find out how to get your free credit report on ASIC’s MoneySmart

If you think your banking details have been compromised, you should contact your bank or credit union immediately to let them know. If you think your identity information has been stolen, you should contact iDcare – a free government‑industry service which works with you to develop specific response plans to your situation to reduce risk and impact.

Visit the SCAMwatch website to find out more about the various forms of identity theft, how to protect yourself and what to do if you’ve been scammed. You can also follow SCAMwatch on Twitter or subscribe to SCAMwatch Radars .

Get smarter with your data

National Consumer Fraud Week 2015

An initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce

 

Tweed Valley Nighbourhood Watch Inc. is a Member/Partner of the Taskforce and urges you to protect yourself against scams.

Community Engagement Day Huge Success

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With more to come!

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Tweed Valley Neighbourhood Watch, in conjunction with Tweed/Byron Local Area Command police, had a very successful Community Engagement Day last week on Friday 30 January, 2015 at Tweed City Shopping Centre.

We were joined by several police, VIPs (Volunteers in Policing), NHW volunteers including our executive board.

The words of our Tweed/Byron LAC Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Constable Bradley Foster, state it best:

Tweed Byron LAC would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tweed Heads volunteers in policing, members of the Tweed Valley Neighbourhood Watch group and the Tweed City Shopping Center management for assisting with the very successful community engagement day last Friday 30th January 2015.

We launched the new ATV for high visibility policing on local beaches and use during the numerous music festivals. We also offered the free installation of registration plate security tamper resistant screws, as a crimes prevention strategy for our local community.

Over 50 vehicles had tamper resistant screws fitted to their license plate and we met hundreds of great community minded residents and visitors.

Due to the great success of this event we will be holding others. Early murmouring suggests that the next event will be in 6 months or so.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Thanks from our Tweed Valley Neighbourhood Watch Chairman, Geoff Provest.

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Look Out. Thieves Are About.

Look Out. Thieves Are About.

look-out-there-are-thieves-aboutWith school holidays approaching, and an influx of visitors expected, Tweed/Byron LAC have issued a reminder for holiday makers.

Along the lines of the Lock It or Lose It campaign Tweed Valley Neighbourhood Watch remind residents and visitors to our beautiful region to stash their valuables when not attending their camping site and not to leave valuables in plain sight in their vehicles.

Opportunistic theft in the area has been known to spike during holiday season and thieves will mark our region as a soft-target. So don’t make it easier for them by inviting theft. Everyone deserves a safe and grief-free holiday.

Tweed Byron Local Area Command would like to advise the community during this holiday period to ensure their belonging are secured and locked away.

Historically during this time of the year items such as push-bikes, surfboards and small personal belonging that are not secured out-of-sight are targeted.

Please be aware of where your belongings are and ensure they are secured.

Enjoy our magnificent holiday destination!

National Identity Fraud Awareness Week 2014

National Identity Fraud Awareness Week 2014

National Identity Fraud Awareness Week (12-18 October)

National Identity Fraud Awareness Week (12-18 October)

Identity crime has become one of the most common and fastest growing crimes in Australia. Each year around five percent of the adult population, or about 900,000 people, report being a victim of identity crime resulting in a financial loss.

Recent estimates by the Attorney-General’s Department indicate that identity crime costs Australia upwards of $1.6 billion each year, with the majority (around $900m) lost by individuals through credit card fraud, identity theft and scams.

More alarmingly, identity crime continues to be a key enabler of serious and organised crime, which in turn costs Australia around $15 billion annually.

The AFP is working together with National Identity Fraud Awareness Week, state and territory police, commonwealth and state government departments and industry to fight this crime.

Both individuals and businesses are at risk of identity theft. By practicing sound identity security habits and implementing a few personal and organisational security measures, you will join us in the fight against identity fraud.

Simple changes in personal behaviour can make a difference to identity security.

Find out more from the Australian Federal Police website.

National Child Protection Week 2014

National Child Protection Week 2014

National Child Protection Week - Play Your PartThe Acting Commander of the NSW Police Force’s Child Abuse Squad has urged community members to contact police if they are concerned about the safety of any children in NSW.

Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Yeomans said National Child Protection Week served as a timely opportunity to remind members of the public about the important role they can play in helping vulnerable children.

“This year’s National Child Protection Week is all about reminding the public that everyone has a part to play in protecting children,” Detective Acting Superintendent Yeomans said.

“Over the course of the last 12 months, the Child Abuse Squad has charged 774 people with more than 3,500 offences as part of their investigations into the sexual assault and serious physical abuse of children under the age of 16.

“On average, we’re arresting and charging at least two people every single day for serious sexual offences and abuse committed against the most vulnerable people in our community – children.

“What’s equally as concerning is the fact that in more than 90 per cent of the cases we investigate, the children have been abused by someone they know.

“It’s absolutely vital that members of the public play their part in helping us and other government agencies protect our kids.

“If you have any concerns about a child in your community, please contact Crime Stoppers or the Child Protection Helpline.”

The Child Abuse Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect. The squad works in partnership with the Department of Family and Community Services and NSW Health.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/. Reports can also be made to the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

National Child Protection Week runs from 7 – 13 September 2014. For further information, please visit https://napcan.org.au/ncpw/.

Home security. Inside and outside.

Home security. Inside and outside.

Shed lock and bar

Is your shed or outside property properly secured?

If you had to replace all items you keep outside or in your garden/storage shed; what would be the cost?

As the cooler weather approaches, and people access their garden tools and sheds less, we’d like to remind everyone on the importance of keeping items kept outdoors and in backyards safe and secure.

Garden/storage sheds should be securely anchored to the ground, preferably on a cement slab, and locked at all times.

If you have ride-on mowers, other bulky or simply don’t have a garden/storage shed then ensure they are out of sight, under cover and marked with an identity unique to you, such as your drivers licence number, using an engraver or UV pen.

Wireless and battery operated alarm systems are now very affordable, with starter systems under $200.00, and they generally contain at least 2 or 3 motion/IR sensors and a similar number of contact switches for doors and windows.

If you need to borrow an engraver to mark your property you can contact your local Tweed Valley NHW coordinator.

More home security tips can be found on our FAQ page here, from your local police station or you can download this handy Crime Prevention PDF pamphlet from the NSW Police Force website.