Ministers Eleni Petinos and Mark Coure urge seniors to be vigilant against scams

·

Senior Australians are being urged to stay vigilant against scams, as the total cost swindled from older consumers skyrockets to over $11 million last year.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received 16,915 reports from seniors that had been scammed in 2021.

Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said $6.7 million had been lost through false billing scams, where scammers request payment through fake invoices for goods or services which were never ordered.

“In one case, a consumer lost $760,000 when their mortgage broker’s email had been compromised,” Ms Petinos said.

Online shopping scams cost Australian seniors $1.8 million last year. A common example of this is the purchase of a motor home online via fake websites.

Ms Petinos said any scammers targeting older Australians will be met with the full force of the law.

“Targeting vulnerable Australians is abhorrent behaviour. Fair Trading has a zero- tolerance approach to any fraudsters ripping off hard-working people,” Ms Petinos said.

Photo: Getty

“Be wary of any requests for money. Another red flag is being asked to transfer money via an unusual payment method such as preloaded debit cards, gift cards or virtual currency.”

Minister for Seniors, Mark Coure said it is disgusting to see criminals deliberately target society’s older people.

“Seniors deserve better than to be preyed on by low-life criminals and defrauded of their life savings,” Mr Coure said.

“Older people have worked their whole lives to make NSW the great state it is today. Anyone taking advantage of seniors should have the book thrown at them.”

NSW Fair Trading has a guide with up-to-date information for seniors about their consumer rights and how to deal with unscrupulous operators.

To read the guide, visit: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/youth-and-seniors/seniors.

The Aging and Disability Commission also has a range of resources available to help people better understand abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people and adults with disability.

For more information, visit: www.ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Matt Pillios named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year

Star real estate agent Matt Pillios has reclaimed his place at the top, being named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year.

Greek astronomer to present at Melbourne seminar on preserving the stars

For millennia, humanity has looked up in awe at the night sky, finding in its silent beauty a profound source of inspiration.

Historic Plaka landmark from iconic Greek film to be restored

The “Kokovikos House,” is named after the fictional couple in Giorgos Tzavellas’ bittersweet classic starring Konstantinou and Kontou.

Melbourne’s Sunday morning strollers walk, talk and keep Greek alive

On a crisp Sunday morning at Merri Creek, a group of walkers from the Sunday Morning Strollers, winds its way along the leafy green trail.

A sweet favourite: Niki Louca’s authentic baklava recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for baklava with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Sydney football coach Zacharis Imisides fights ban over alleged messages with teen

Zacharis Imisides is appealing his suspension by the sport's governing body after allegedly sending messages to a 14-year-old girl.

Turkish Cypriot journalist sentenced in absentia for offending Erdogan

Journalist and editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Cypriot newspaper Avrupa, Sener Levent, has been sentenced to prison in absentia in Turkey.

‘I’m devastated’: Effie Kats pulls out of Melbourne Fashion Week due to COVID delivery delays

Effie Kats was ready to show her new collection of suits at Melbourne Fashion Week this year until she was hit by COVID-19 delivery delays.