| 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 received 16,915 reports from seniors that had been scammed in 2021. Around $6.7 million has been lost through false billing scams, where scammers request payment through fake invoices for goods or services which were never ordered. Online shopping scams cost Australian seniors $1.8 million last year. 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. 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, please visit: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/youth-and-seniors/seniors. The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission which I established when I was NSW Minister for Disabilities also has a range of resources available to help people to better understand elderly neglect. For more information, please visit the website at: www.ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au. Gareth Ward |
Seniors urged to be vigilant against scams
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