overview
Sadly last year we had two major incidents of computer fraud - sad stories -
A stolen handbag.
Our client had her hand bag stolen which contained her credit card and drivers’ license.
The next thing she knew of it was when her bank contacted her and asked her when she was making her first payment on her new $55,000 loan!
A year and a quarter later the “mess” was sorted out at great cost to her in terms of personal stress and loss time in her self-employment.
There was no action available to her against the bank, she was simply the victim of a crime as they were.Facebook fraud.
A senior lady client, a lawn-bowler, was contacted by whom she thought was her bowling friend (although the photograph was slightly changed) and announced that she, like her friend, had won some $300,000 in American lottery.
Next, and it’s all too easy to say she was silly, the artwork and the fact that’s “so clearly” came from a friend succeeded in deceiving her.
Instructions then came later to forward “administration” money and then “customs” money in cash to various bank accounts down the street from her bank.
It all went!The Financial Ombudsman, now the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), is looking into it along with the Police Fraud Squad but it won’t be easy.
business warnings
This office is very careful with the receipt of its emails and if there’s any doubt the practise is to simply delete.
Law firms are very susceptible to “trojan horse” viruses as enthusiastic staff tends to “open” emails and attachments in diligent pursuit of their job.
This can be fatal.
Scams generally
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has produced “The Little Black Book of Scams” a copy of which can be obtained from the Commission.
Frightening and interesting reading.