Don’t be a sucker!

‘Scams’ are everywhere. A ‘scam’ is a business deal or a sales offer which is dishonest and does not adhere to accepted standards of quality or service. Scam operators are smart and determined to get your attention and your money. They can make contact via email, text message, telephone, mail or in person by knocking on your front door. Always remember that if something sounds too good to be true it probably is! There are some rules that you should follow to avoid being a ‘sucker’ or having your money or personal details taken by dishonest means.

If you are contacted by telephone you should always ask the name of the person that you are speaking to and the name of the company that they represent. If you ask questions which are avoided or if you request additional information which is not provided then the alarm bells should start to ring.

If you receive an offer through the post or over the internet be aware of 0055 or 1900 numbers. These numbers are charged by the minute, usually at a cost higher than that of an STD call. Scammers want you to sit on the phone for extended periods of time listening to their sales pitch so you spend as much money as possible.

If you receive offers via email you should never give out your personal details, credit card number or bank account details to anyone that you do not know or haven’t checked out; just because a website looks impressive does not mean that the business or the company really exists. Remember in cyberspace people are not always how they seem. Don’t give in to high pressure sales tactics. Don’t let people push you around and make you feel intimidated. If you are tempted by something that has been offered to you and you are not sure it is always best to go away and think about it for a while. Ask advice from a friend or an adult that you trust. You can also contact consumer affairs and the office of fair trading. They will be able to advise you and help you to better understand situations that you should avoid. As a school student in a foreign country you are an easy target. Remember it always best to:

• Collect: Collect as much information as you can
• Consider: Think about the situation carefully before you act
• Consult: Take advice from a friend or someone you trust.

Don’t be a sucker!