Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information (name, address, bank details, email or phone number). Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.
Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.
Many frauds start with a phishing email. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such emails, even if they look genuine. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book to check if you’re not sure.
If you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the money you’ve already lost.
You can make a report to ICIEU via email,the website's contact page or by using our live chat popup which ensures proper documentation and quick responses
If you have reached out you can:
Report fraud and cyber crime
Save and resume a partially completed report
Track the progress of your report
Add information to your report
Download a copy of your report
Receive an outcome by email
Contact your bank and report the fraudulent transfer. Ask if they can reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back.
Contact ICIEU to see what steps you should take, including how to monitor your credit.
Does scammer have remote access to your computer?
Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem. Then take other steps to protect your personal information.
You may receive an e-mail advising that you have won or inherited a large amount of money (usually from overseas) and that you need to pay a fee to release the money from the Bank. Please be advised that the Bank will never ask you for money to allow the transfer of personal funds into or out of your Account.
The Competition & Consumer Commission's (CCC) Scamwatch website and SIC's MoneySmart website contain detailed information on scams and how to avoid them.
Fortunately, even though it can be extremely difficult to recover money that has already been transferred to scammers, because it is often very difficult to track down the person or group that has scammed you, It isn't impossible. So far we are provided with enough information about the scam your losses can be recovered
