The battle against scammers

The Federal Government has been working hard to protect Australians and people across the Central Coast as scam losses significantly fall as a result of their fight against scammers.

20 March 2024

 

YESTERDAY, the Assistant Treasurer released a new report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that shows the Government’s plan to crackdown on scammers is working.

 

This will be welcome news for the people of the Central Coast, who have no doubt experienced the persistent calls, texts, and social media accounts attempting to scam them out of their money.

 

The National Anti-Scam Centre’s second quarterly report shows scam losses in October to December 2023 have almost halved compared to the same period in 2022.

 

Before the current Government came to office, Australians were losing over $3 billion a year to scams. Of particular concern, scam losses had doubled and doubled again in the space of three years.

 

That trend has now flipped, with scam losses from October to December 2023 reduced by 43% from the same quarter in 2022.

 

This comes after the Government implemented its election commitment to crack down on scammers by investing $86.5 million in last year’s Budget, which included establishing the National Anti-Scam Centre.

 

The National Anti-Scam Centre is a world leading partnership between government, law enforcement and the private sector that uses cutting edge technology to disrupt scams before they reach consumers. The National Anti-Scam Centre also focusses on raising community awareness to help arm people with tips and tools to help protect them from scammers.

 

Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid said “The Federal Labor Government is acting decisively to protect Australians from scams and economic crime.

 

“Every day, scammers are ripping money out the pockets of hard-working Australians. The Government is fighting back.

 

“If an offer seems too good to be true or suspicious, it probably is.

 

“In April, I look forward to hosting another anti-scams forum, which will be located in Woy Woy, and open to anyone interested in arming themselves with knowledge to combat scammers."

 

For more information, get in touch with Dr Gorob Reid's office on 4322 2400 or email Gordon.Reid.MP@aph.gov.au