There's been a lot of focus on scams in recent weeks, authorities reminding people to be on the lookout for offers too good to be true, especially after Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Now, while those are in the past, we're still being urged to stay vigilant, with cyber experts compiling a list of scams to be cautious of. More than three hundred have been reported in the Northern Territory in the last year, and I've got to tell you I'm not overly surprised. I know I've received text messages where I've thought, oh, hang on a second, that is a scam. Now joining us on the line to tell us a little bit more, is is AU cyber spokesperson rape?

There's been a lot of focus on scams in recent weeks, authorities reminding people to be on the lookout for offers too good to be true, especially after Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Now, while those are in the past, we're still being urged to stay vigilant, with cyber experts compiling a list of scams to be cautious of. More than three hundred have been reported in the Northern Territory in the last year, and I've got to tell you I'm not overly surprised. I know I've received text messages where I've thought, oh, hang on a second, that is a scam. Now joining us on the line to tell us a little bit more, is is AU cyber spokesperson rape?

It is? Indeed, Northern Territorians have been scammed, in fact, over fifteen hundred times this year. Wow, the value of one point seven million dollars rape.

It is? Indeed, Northern Territorians have been scammed, in fact, over fifteen hundred times this year. Wow, the value of one point seven million dollars rape.

That's shocking. What kind of scams have they actually been falling vic them to look?

That's shocking. What kind of scams have they actually been falling vic them to look?

It is shocking And indeed, in the lead up for Christmas, Australians in totality is about to spend sixty nine billion, that's the B billion dollars on gifts, so in the lead up for Christmas, and you know even in the last two weeks as we quickly jump online and order things and go out and buy things, we really need to be wary of the scams not only around when you're buying things, so around when they're advertising fake things online on markplaces and through social media, but also around when you're getting things delivered. So a few big scams to watch out for it this time of year is the parcel delivery scams. This is where you get a text message and somebody purports to be whether it's DHL or Australia Posts saying that you need to update your details or pay a little bit extra to get that delivery in time for Christmas. Really watch out for those at this time of year, So check that tracking number from what you've ordered in the past, make sure that reconciles or matches what you've actually done in the past, because that's a big one at this time of year. The other big ones at this time of year is around fake things that you can buy online. So these even go through all the way to fake pets, so we're seeing scammers actually advertise pets to sale. Then you go to make an inquiry and they say, please pay this much money to make sure they get their injections. So that's another big one to watch out for it this time of year.

It is shocking And indeed, in the lead up for Christmas, Australians in totality is about to spend sixty nine billion, that's the B billion dollars on gifts, so in the lead up for Christmas, and you know even in the last two weeks as we quickly jump online and order things and go out and buy things, we really need to be wary of the scams not only around when you're buying things, so around when they're advertising fake things online on markplaces and through social media, but also around when you're getting things delivered. So a few big scams to watch out for it this time of year is the parcel delivery scams. This is where you get a text message and somebody purports to be whether it's DHL or Australia Posts saying that you need to update your details or pay a little bit extra to get that delivery in time for Christmas. Really watch out for those at this time of year, So check that tracking number from what you've ordered in the past, make sure that reconciles or matches what you've actually done in the past, because that's a big one at this time of year. The other big ones at this time of year is around fake things that you can buy online. So these even go through all the way to fake pets, so we're seeing scammers actually advertise pets to sale. Then you go to make an inquiry and they say, please pay this much money to make sure they get their injections. So that's another big one to watch out for it this time of year.

Yeah, and look these like it always sort of surprises me that there is no shortage of dodgy people trying to work out ways to get money from hard working Territorians and Australians.

Yeah, and look these like it always sort of surprises me that there is no shortage of dodgy people trying to work out ways to get money from hard working Territorians and Australians.

Well, the reality is that we are the lucky country and indeed we are the fourth wealthiest country in the world, so this makes us a prime target. The criminals go where the money is, and the money is down here in Australia. And indeed we're never so connected as well. We've got over eleven devices on average per household at the moment. We're ordering everything or a lot of things online at the moment, we're getting things to live it online at the moment, so there is an avenue for them to get to our views every day, so you're seeing reward point scams, so you know, whether it's Woolworth, you're seeing them send messages out with things that we use each and every day. ATO. We all have an ATO account, so you know you're seeing those scams go out. So really the messaging is here. Slow down, don't click on everything, go to the actual source of truth. So if somebody's purporting to be someone, go to that actual website and then log in there.

Well, the reality is that we are the lucky country and indeed we are the fourth wealthiest country in the world, so this makes us a prime target. The criminals go where the money is, and the money is down here in Australia. And indeed we're never so connected as well. We've got over eleven devices on average per household at the moment. We're ordering everything or a lot of things online at the moment, we're getting things to live it online at the moment, so there is an avenue for them to get to our views every day, so you're seeing reward point scams, so you know, whether it's Woolworth, you're seeing them send messages out with things that we use each and every day. ATO. We all have an ATO account, so you know you're seeing those scams go out. So really the messaging is here. Slow down, don't click on everything, go to the actual source of truth. So if somebody's purporting to be someone, go to that actual website and then log in there.

And you know, we're talking Christmas wise. Obviously at the moment, we know as well, like on Boxing Day there's going to be massive sales across the board as well, So no doubt we'll see different types of scams then. But I understand that there's also twelve types of scams that you guys have actually sort of come up with that list that you're warning people about. I know I've had at least one of these come through on my phone, and that is the hey Mum one, and it was, hey Mom, I've dropped my phone in the toilet. I need you to click on this link or to contact me through this you know, through this phone number. I can't remember exactly what it was, and I thought, that does not sound like something my daughter would message me.

And you know, we're talking Christmas wise. Obviously at the moment, we know as well, like on Boxing Day there's going to be massive sales across the board as well, So no doubt we'll see different types of scams then. But I understand that there's also twelve types of scams that you guys have actually sort of come up with that list that you're warning people about. I know I've had at least one of these come through on my phone, and that is the hey Mum one, and it was, hey Mom, I've dropped my phone in the toilet. I need you to click on this link or to contact me through this you know, through this phone number. I can't remember exactly what it was, and I thought, that does not sound like something my daughter would message me.

This one. This one's a good one. And the large percentage of people in Australia that are mum, so this one they broad bass out a lot. Obviously, a lot of our information is on the dark Web, and that's because of the significant amount of breaches that have happened. So a lot of Australians information is on the dark web that encloses their phone numbers. This Hey Mom campaign by scammers sends out exactly that I've lost my phone, Mum, I need to buy a new one. I can't talk right now. Can you send me a thousand dollars? And this happened to me on the weekend. I was having breakfast with a friend. I got it and I started playing back and forward with them and that's how much they were asking a thousand dollars. Can't talk, mum. I'm at the shop now, you know. So really be careful of this one again. Call your child's original number. If you get this, you know, don't discount it obviously altogether. Check in with your child, but do not do not fall for that one at all.

This one. This one's a good one. And the large percentage of people in Australia that are mum, so this one they broad bass out a lot. Obviously, a lot of our information is on the dark Web, and that's because of the significant amount of breaches that have happened. So a lot of Australians information is on the dark web that encloses their phone numbers. This Hey Mom campaign by scammers sends out exactly that I've lost my phone, Mum, I need to buy a new one. I can't talk right now. Can you send me a thousand dollars? And this happened to me on the weekend. I was having breakfast with a friend. I got it and I started playing back and forward with them and that's how much they were asking a thousand dollars. Can't talk, mum. I'm at the shop now, you know. So really be careful of this one again. Call your child's original number. If you get this, you know, don't discount it obviously altogether. Check in with your child, but do not do not fall for that one at all.

Yeah, Rave tell us about some of the others. I mean, you touched on the parcels delivery scam, also the reward point scam. But they even know pretend to be the ATO and stuff like that at different times.

Yeah, Rave tell us about some of the others. I mean, you touched on the parcels delivery scam, also the reward point scam. But they even know pretend to be the ATO and stuff like that at different times.

Look, everyone loves the taxi turn, don't they if it's a positive tax return and everyone has an ADO account, so you know, get a something back from the tax office, then you're potentially going to put that in. So we're saying ato ones. I mean that one's an one that's been around for a long time. The toll road scams one is another one as well. So any toll roads that you're going through across the country, they pretend to be those as well. We're even seeing job scams at the moment where they're enticing people to apply for jobs or offering these jobs out and asking for a nominal fee to go through the process. So they're wide ranging, but they often leverage some of our biggest brands, knowing that we obviously use those brands.

Look, everyone loves the taxi turn, don't they if it's a positive tax return and everyone has an ADO account, so you know, get a something back from the tax office, then you're potentially going to put that in. So we're saying ato ones. I mean that one's an one that's been around for a long time. The toll road scams one is another one as well. So any toll roads that you're going through across the country, they pretend to be those as well. We're even seeing job scams at the moment where they're enticing people to apply for jobs or offering these jobs out and asking for a nominal fee to go through the process. So they're wide ranging, but they often leverage some of our biggest brands, knowing that we obviously use those brands.

One that I want to ask about before I let you go is this deep fakes one. This is something that I think a lot of people will probably find quite concerning because they may not kind of be able to notice that the person who's been in contact with them is not the one that you know, is not the person that they think it is.

One that I want to ask about before I let you go is this deep fakes one. This is something that I think a lot of people will probably find quite concerning because they may not kind of be able to notice that the person who's been in contact with them is not the one that you know, is not the person that they think it is.

Yeah, so how good is AI like across advancing so many things across ode and across our lives, but it has also been used for bad So more than ever, things look more real. So whether this is how a text message is crafted or indeed how an image is created. With AI, what we're seeing is investment scams. You're seeing, whether it's the Minister, whether you see Koshi, we're seeing them actually use celebrities to try and entice people in to invest in certain things. And you know, there's always two ways that scammers get people. It's a carrot or a stick. They're either creating a sense of urgency that you need to act on or an incentive. And indeed incentives are the biggest scam that are out there. So they use fake imagery, they pretend to be somebody that's a celebrity, and they try and get you to invest using deep fakes.

Yeah, so how good is AI like across advancing so many things across ode and across our lives, but it has also been used for bad So more than ever, things look more real. So whether this is how a text message is crafted or indeed how an image is created. With AI, what we're seeing is investment scams. You're seeing, whether it's the Minister, whether you see Koshi, we're seeing them actually use celebrities to try and entice people in to invest in certain things. And you know, there's always two ways that scammers get people. It's a carrot or a stick. They're either creating a sense of urgency that you need to act on or an incentive. And indeed incentives are the biggest scam that are out there. So they use fake imagery, they pretend to be somebody that's a celebrity, and they try and get you to invest using deep fakes.

It's so dodgy, and I mean, I guess the key message is just make sure, like you've said, go to the source of truth. You know, if someone's pretending to be your child, if someone's pretending to be Australia Posed or whoever, and you're not sure, go to that, to that source and make sure that you are not sending any money or doing anything that's going to leave you out of pocket unless you are one hundred percent sure of who you're sending it to.

It's so dodgy, and I mean, I guess the key message is just make sure, like you've said, go to the source of truth. You know, if someone's pretending to be your child, if someone's pretending to be Australia Posed or whoever, and you're not sure, go to that, to that source and make sure that you are not sending any money or doing anything that's going to leave you out of pocket unless you are one hundred percent sure of who you're sending it to.

Yeah, and the other thing is like like you do for any other advice in your life. Touch base with your friends and family, and the government also has a great resource called scam Watch dot gov dot AU. So question anything with your friends and family and then king scammed. It's just not the older generation.

Yeah, and the other thing is like like you do for any other advice in your life. Touch base with your friends and family, and the government also has a great resource called scam Watch dot gov dot AU. So question anything with your friends and family and then king scammed. It's just not the older generation.

Yeah, that's exactly right. Well, Rafe, lovely to speak to you this morning. I really appreciate your time and I know our listeners will as well.

Yeah, that's exactly right. Well, Rafe, lovely to speak to you this morning. I really appreciate your time and I know our listeners will as well.

You're welcome and have a great question you too.

You're welcome and have a great question you too.

Thanks so much.

Thanks so much.