Flying Solo
My Account Icon
Icon

Search

Uncategorized

Warning: ACCC say scammers are targeting businesses during the coronavirus crisis

Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by exploiting and playing on the fears of consumers and small businesses across Australia, warns the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Icon

Share

Comment 0
Prefer Flying Solo

The ACCC’s Scamwatch has received multiple reports of phishing scams sent via email or text message impersonating the World Health Organization, government authorities, and legitimate businesses, including travel agents and telecommunications companies.

Other scams include falsely selling coronavirus-related products online, using fake emails or text messages to try and obtain personal data, and investment scams claiming coronavirus has created financial opportunities.

With more consumers and businesses using online platforms the ACCC says it is important to take steps to protect you and your business from scams. These can include:

  • never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details
  • keep your computer’s anti-virus and anti-spyware software up-to-date, use a good firewall, and only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source
  • back-up important data such as customer details and financial information using an external USB or cloud storage service
  • use strong and unique passphrases, not passwords
  • ensure your staff are trained and aware of potential threats.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre provides further guidance for small business at the ACSC website.

You can also visit the Scamwatch website for more information on coronavirusscams, including how to make a report and where to get help.

This post appeared on Kochie’s Business Builders and is republished here with permission. 

About the author

Cec has been telling stories and chasing headlines for more than 25 years. These days, she’s editor of Private Media’s Business Builders and Flying Solo, and the voice behind the Flying Solo and First Act podcasts. She kicked off her editing career as the founding editor of Sydney street press The Brag and has since worn the editor’s hat across a stack of titles – from SX and CULT to Better Pictures, Total Rock, MTV, fasterlouder, mynikonlife and Fantastic Living. Cec’s reporting runs the gamut. She’s covered small business, politics, health and LGBTQIA+ issues with equal passion. And when she’s not in print or online, you might have caught her behind the mic at FBi Radio or in front of the camera on OutTV.

Similar topics

COVID-19

Comments

Comment 0
Hide