Elise Archer,Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Scams Awareness Week is a national campaign run annually by the Scams Awareness Network to reduce the impact of scams by raising awareness and encouraging the public to talk about scams and report them.
As part of Scams Awareness Week 2021, I was pleased to launch with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, NBN Co and the Tasmanian Government’s Consumer Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) a series of events to be delivered around the State.
Scammers take advantage of people and we know that sadly, those in vulnerable situations can more easily fall victim. This has been particularly evident since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scams cost Australian consumers, businesses and the economy hundreds of millions of dollars each year, and cause serious emotional harm to victims and their families.
This year Tasmanians have reported 4,252 scams which account for losses totalling over $2.3 million. The financial and emotional impact of these losses can be devastating for victims.
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s talk scams’ and the key message is to encourage everyone to talk to their family and friends about consumer fraud and how they can avoid becoming a victim of scams.
Sharing stories and raising awareness of fraud prevention strategies with family, friends and neighbours is one of the most important preventative actions each of us can take to safeguard others.
If you come across a scam, make sure you report it to Scamwatch, even if you haven’t lost any money. These reports are extremely important as they provide key information about emerging scams and trends and may help someone else avoid being scammed.
Scams are crimes that can happen to anyone but it is important to know there are things each of us can do to help stop them. In working together, we can all help to reduce the risk that scams pose to each of us, but particularly to vulnerable Tasmanians.
I congratulate Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, NBN Co and CBOS for collaborating and sharing their important scam awareness message with Tasmanians over the course of Scams Awareness Week.
