Fraud Awareness Week 2015, (November 15-21), is an initiative to raise awareness of scams and promote safe online practices.
In 2014, there were more than 140 recorded reports of ‘digital challenges’ (predominantly cyber crime and cyber security) by small businesses.
Thirty-five victims lost $788,253 — an average loss of $22,521. This year, incident reports from small businesses have tripled, although losses are slightly down.
Small business minister Craig Foss and commerce and consumer affairs minister Paul Goldsmith are urging consumers and small businesses to keep themselves safe online.
“It’s imperative for small business owners to get up to speed — and stay up to speed — on the types of scams doing the rounds,” says Foss.
“New scams appear almost constantly, and they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated,” he says.
“Employing a few simple online safety tips could be the difference between a successful business and a struggling one. No one wants to see their hard work, and all the time and effort they put into it, stolen,” says Foss.
Goldsmith says the sentiments are the same for consumers.
“Simple tips to stay alert include not giving out personal information or sending money to anyone you’ve only met over the internet.
“If it doesn’t seem right, be cautious, double check the details first. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“If someone you have never met asks you for money it’s a scam — especially if they ask you to send it via a money transfer system like the Western Union. Be careful if a friend or family member asks for money over the internet, as someone might be cloning their Facebook site,” says Goldsmith says.
For more information or to report a scam, visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Consumer Protection page here.
