Retirement
Free Wi-Fi a hot target as 1 in 4 Aussie adults scammed
In 2018 alone, Australians lost about $48 million to financial scammers who targeted popular online shopping destinations and exploited weaknesses in free Wi-Fi to grab sensitive personal data.
Free Wi-Fi a hot target as 1 in 4 Aussie adults scammed
In 2018 alone, Australians lost about $48 million to financial scammers who targeted popular online shopping destinations and exploited weaknesses in free Wi-Fi to grab sensitive personal data.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has launched “Stay Smart Online” week in a bid to educate Australian consumers about sophisticated scams that aim to hack into online banking and capture credit card details.
The ACSC estimates that about six million Australian adults have been impacted by a scam.
An increasingly common and sophisticated method for fraudsters is to pose as a popular online retailer, often with a “shopfront” that appears reputable and well known.
Free Wi-Fi, which often has lax security, is also a method scammers use to gain access to data of those who are using the network.
Australian consumers often believe a scam will be obvious, but fraudsters are often using sophisticated graphics, technology and platforms. This is having a material impact on Australian consumers personally, and businesses in Australia more broadly.
“Cyber crime is a big problem in Australia and all over the world. The human and financial cost to businesses and society is rising every year,” the ACSC said in a statement today.
“It impacts our business[es], our families and friends, costing huge amounts of money, time and pain.”
Tax time scammers
Tax time, which is between the start of the new financial year and income tax lodgement deadline of 31 October, is a particularly busy time for fraudsters.
“We’re heading into peak season for the army of scammers looking to hoodwink individuals and small businesses into parting with their money, their identity or both by claiming to be from the ATO,” said H&R Block’s tax communications director, Mark Chapman.
You can read more about how to protect yourself from tax time scammers here.
RELATED ARTICLES
Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more
Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more
Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more
Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more
Retirement Planning
Age-appropriate housing could reduce hospitalisations for elderly Australians, report finds
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has highlighted the potential benefits of age-friendly housing in reducing hospitalisations among older Australians. Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council urges focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for a renewed focus on retirement villages as a key housing solution to cater for Australia's ageing population, following the release of fresh ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more
Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more
Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more
Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more
Retirement Planning
Age-appropriate housing could reduce hospitalisations for elderly Australians, report finds
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has highlighted the potential benefits of age-friendly housing in reducing hospitalisations among older Australians. Read more
Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council urges focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for a renewed focus on retirement villages as a key housing solution to cater for Australia's ageing population, following the release of fresh ...Read more
