The Orana Mid-Western Police District are sending out a strong warning to residents to be mindful of telephone scammers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Narromine Police Sergeant Michael Smith is encouraging residents to remain cautious of anyone asking them for personal details, access to computers and asking them to transfer money.
“Narromine Police have assisted several members of the local community, who believed that someone was trying to scam them,” Sergeant Smith said.
He said some of the common indicators to look out for to help identify if you are being scammed include: an unusual sense of urgency to get your details and or a payment; unusual payment methods, such as iTunes cards and Western Union Money Transfers; and being asked for your banking details by organisations who should already have them in their files.
“My advice is to always exercise caution. If something either doesn't seem right, or seems too good to be true, it is often for good reason,” Sergeant Smith said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
He said often callers will try to pressure people into making instant decisions, and will become abusive if you don’t comply, which is a good indicator that they aren’t who they say they are.
“Don't allow yourself to be pressured into making an immediate decision. Politely say that you want some time to think about it, or want to seek further advice before making a decision,” Sergeant Smith said.
“The best approach is to ask the caller for their name, organisation and a contact number, and say that you will call them back. If they refuse, it is a good sign that they are part of a scam.”
Almost $538,000 was lost to 4828 people in October 2018, with 40 percent being lost over the telephone, according to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Scamwatch.
Sergeant Smith advised that if residents have concerns regarding the legitimacy of a phone call, to stop, hang up and seek advice.
“Sometimes a simple Google search can help you to identify a scam, or even the ACCC’s Scamwatch website,” Sergeant Smith said.
“It’s important to remember that once you have been scammed, there is generally a zero chance that you will ever see your money again.”
“The banks will not reimburse you, because you have consented to the transaction, albeit by deception.
“Most of the scams originate from overseas, often in countries whose authorities do not co-operate with Australian Police Forces,” he said.
For anyone concerned contact the Narromine Police station, or visit www.scamwatch.gov.au for details on different types of scams or to report a scam.