Fraudsters targeting disaster victims and donors with fake aid and charity scams
Australians affected by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred are being urged to remain cautious as scammers attempt to exploit the disaster. Both Westpac and the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) have issued warnings about fraudulent activity targeting those impacted and those looking to donate.
Westpac head of fraud prevention Ben Young (pictured right) said scammers often take advantage of vulnerable individuals following major events.
“Unfortunately, we can see a surge in scam cases following significant events, as people seek genuine support and are focused on the recovery of their family and friends,” he said.
Scams may include fraudulent offers of financial aid, fake donation websites, and impersonation of banks, insurance companies, charities, or government agencies. A common tactic is scammers posing as organisations like Centrelink or the Australian Taxation Office, offering supposed rebates or insurance payouts to gain access to personal information.
COBA head of financial crimes and cyber resilience Martin Latimer (pictured above) highlighted the risk of phishing scams, where fraudsters send messages urging recipients to click links leading to fake websites designed to steal data or install malware.
“A common phishing tactic is a scammer sending a text message, social media post or email, asking for donations and urging you to click on a link,” he said.
Both Westpac and COBA advised people to be wary of unsolicited contact, verify the legitimacy of charities through official sources such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and donate only through official websites.
Westpac also reminded customers that it will never ask them to share online banking passwords, security codes, or install remote access software.
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