Scammers target flood victims in new low
In the aftermath of the floods that have devastated much of northern NSW and Queensland, those affected have something else to worry about - scammers.
As Aussies begin to rebuild their homes and businesses, many are filing insurance claims.
But, reports have begun to emerge of scammers trying to take advantage of flood victims by posing as insurance providers.
Ali King, the MP of Pumicestone in Queensland, said she received a text from an alleged scammer who claimed they would help with her insurance claim after the floods.
The only problem was that she didn’t make a claim.
“I got a text today from someone assigned to help me with my insurance claim. I don’t have an insurance claim,” she said on Instagram.
Stephen Jones, the MP for Whitlam, also took to social media, using King’s tweet to warn those who may become victims of scammers on top of the floods.
“We’ve seen the best of Australia in the huge outpouring of support for those affected by these devastating floods,” he wrote.
Thanks @StephenJonesMP - we need better laws to deal with these grubs. #auspol #QLDFloods2022 https://t.co/FD2vjI9pxg
— Ali King MP (@AliKingLabor) March 8, 2022
“But scammers posing as insurance agents are looking to exploit people trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.
“Look out for suspicious messages and phone calls. Share information with your communities so they know what to watch out for.
“Working together we can stop these scammers from taking advantage of yet another tragedy.”
A spokesperson for the ACC told 7News that they were yet to see reports of the scams, but still urged Aussies to remain cautious.
According to the ACCC, here are several things people can do to protect themselves from scams:
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Don’t click on hyperlinks in texts, social media messages or emails, even if it appears to come from a trusted source
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Never reply to unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial details
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To determine if a contact is legitimate, look them up through an independent source such as a phone book or online search
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Never send money or personal information, such as credit card details, to anyone you don’t know or trust
If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank and consider lodging a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re not satisfied with the bank’s response.
Image: Getty Images