Get Scam Savvy with Consumer Affairs Victoria

If in doubt, don’t!

That’s the message Consumer Affairs Victoria – the state’s fair trading regulator – is giving older Victorians when it comes to staying safe online.

Many older Victorians are attractive targets for scammers, because they often own substantial assets and have access to life savings and superannuation.

Older Victorians are also the fastest growing online user group in the country. Many of you go online to keep in touch with your children, family and friends, to correspond via email, watch YouTube videos or catch-up TV, or to research and book travel.

Life events such as financial hardship and recovering from illness, loss and trauma can also leave you more vulnerable to scams.

Consumer Affairs Victoria is working to reduce the harm caused by scammers by building greater awareness and understanding of online scams among older Victorians.

Scammers are professional criminals. Anyone can fall for a scam because scammers are getting smarter and using more sophisticated tricks to dupe thousands of older Victorians every year.

Consumer Affairs Victoria will visit the Goldfields Region later in July to present free Scam Savvy information sessions at Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton, Gisborne, Eaglehawk and Heathcote Libraries, and at Boort and Wedderburn Library Agencies.

Bookings can be made by phoning the library or agency directly, or via www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/scamsavvy

All sessions are free.

For more information on common types of scams, tips on how to identify, avoid or report them, visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au/scamsavvy