Hi guys, what’s up? Welcome back to today’s blog. The information that I am going to share with you is important for everyone, whether they are coming to Australia on a student visa, work visa, or any other visa category. This information is very crucial for all of them.

You might have seen a lot of scams in your home country. For example, in India, there are many scams, and you may receive calls or emails about them. Scams are not only prevalent in your country; they also exist in Australia. There are many scams of different types.

In today’s blog, I will explain what kinds of scams occur here. According to the Australian Government, they have suffered a loss of 20 million dollars since January due to scams. This is a consistent issue, and the government has released a report from the National Anti-Scam Center, indicating that scams have increased by 740% compared to last year. From these figures, we can estimate how rampant scams are in Australia.

Types of Scams:

Let’s talk about who are the primary victims of these scams and whom they target. The main targets of scammers are usually students who have just arrived in a new country. They often lack knowledge and may panic upon receiving strange emails or messages. Many times, the links provided in these emails or messages should never be clicked, yet people often do.

The scammers target students, job seekers, and sometimes even older individuals. Let’s start with one of the most common scams: the job scam.

Job Scam:

Students looking for jobs, as well as those already settled here, often seek additional work because multiple jobs are permissible in Australia. In job scams, scammers often use social media platforms to offer jobs with very little information. They may offer high pay rates and guarantee plenty of work. They even provide options to work from home.

If you receive such an offer, you might think it sounds too good to be true. These offers often involve asking for personal details or filling out application forms, along with a deposit to process the job offer. Employment scams have significantly increased in Australia, especially now that the job market is tight.

If you are coming to Australia, please do not reply to any suspicious emails, click on links, or share any of your personal information.

Virtual Kidnapping Scam:

Another type of scam is the Virtual Kidnapping Scam. You may receive a call from someone claiming to be from a legitimate organization, saying you have committed a crime and must pay a fine. They might threaten you with visa cancellation or deportation. If you receive such a call, remember these calls are scams. Do not respond or deposit any fees.

You may also receive messages claiming you owe fines to ATOAI. If you get a message indicating you must pay taxes, ignore it. These messages are often fake, and newcomers should not panic over them.

Utility Bill Scam:

Another common scam involves someone pretending to be a service provider, claiming they can reduce your electricity bill. They might ask for a fee to help with this. Remember, no one can reduce your electricity bill for free, and you will have to pay for your usage.

Fake Courier Scam:

You may receive messages claiming that a courier cannot be delivered because your address is not verified. Ignore these messages. You should always verify couriers using tracking numbers on the relevant website, as no legitimate courier service will send you such messages.

Tax Return Scam:

You might also receive messages about changes to your tax returns or unexpected refunds. Do not click on any links in these messages, as they are often scams designed to trick you.

Scholarship Scam:

There is also a scholarship scam, where you may receive messages claiming you can receive a scholarship if you fill out an application and pay a fee. Always check with your university’s official website for legitimate scholarship opportunities, as no third party can secure a scholarship for you.

Accommodation Scam:

Accommodation scams are another serious issue. Scammers often post fake listings on social media platforms. If you are searching for accommodation, do not pay any deposits without verifying the property. Make sure to use legitimate services for booking accommodation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is vital to be aware of scams if you are new to Australia or planning to come here. Scammers will target your personal information and try to exploit your vulnerabilities. If you accidentally become a victim of a scam, you can report it to the Anti-Scam Center for assistance. My purpose in sharing this information is to make newcomers aware of the realities of scams in Australia.