Fed: Consumers targeted in phone scam, ACCC says

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2008
Fed: Consumers targeted in phone scam, ACCC says

CANBERRA, Dec 22 AAP - Australian consumers with Chinese surnames are being targeted
in a telemarketing scam based in Hong Kong, the consumer watchdog has warned.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says it has seen an increase
in the number of complaints from the public based on significant amounts of money lost
to these overseas scammers.

Described as an "old-style scam" operating through a simple phone call, hundreds of
thousands of dollars have been taken from trusting consumers around the country, ACCC
chairman Graeme Samuel says.

"The promise of a large win and the scammers' persistence hook consumers into paying
upfront fees for club memberships, taxes and other charges," he said in a statement.

Anyone tempted by the phone scam should ask themselves why the scammers don't take
the fees out of the money supposedly won, he said.

"Consumers should hang up immediately if they receive such a call.

"Once money is paid, it is next to impossible to recover."

AAP srj/kms/maur

KEYWORD: SCAM

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