Indigenous consumers lost more than $1.2 million to scammers last year according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2015 Targeting Scams Report – an increase of nearly 65 per cent compared to 2014.
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“Losses to scammers are not only distressing to the individual concerned but can also have a significant impact on others in their community,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
Dating and romance scams caused the greatest loss among indigenous consumers, totalling more than $613,000. Inheritance scams and computer and prediction software and sports investment schemes also caused significant losses.
The ACCC and its partners are working with indigenous communities to warn elders about the dangers of scams.
“Indigenous community elders play an important role as leaders and educators. By working with them, we hope to raise awareness about scams and pass on some tips on how to avoid them,” Ms Rickard said.
Indigenous consumers can also log on to the ACCC’s ‘Your Rights Mob’ Facebook page to spread the message about how to spot a scam and how they can protect themselves from scammers.