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Yesterday marked the start of Scams Awareness Week 2022, and NSW Fair Trading is encouraging consumers to learn new ways to identify scams.

“Other common scams include the purchase of tickets to events, where consumers have either purchased from resellers and the ticket was invalid or purchased tickets to an event which didn’t go ahead,” Ms Mann said.

Other reports of scams we’re aware of included shipping containers and fake websites using fake ABN & ACNs to scam consumers without the intention to supply.

We also saw consumers falling victim to Facebook, and other online marketplace offers that seemed ‘too good to be confirmed through private sale scams.

“Stop, check, and verify” is the message we’re sending consumers – to take the time to check whether an offer or contact is genuine before acting on it.

Where there is limited information, consumers are made aware they have most likely been scammed, and options to attempt to recover their money are provided, including informing the police and contacting their financial institution.

“More than 490 of the 1693 potential scams involved non-supply for goods purchased.

“Due to the ‘fly by night’ nature of many scammers, it can be difficult for law enforcement agencies to track scammers down to take action.

From January 2021 – September 2022, there were 1693 potential scams reported to NSW Fair Trading.

“If you spot the signs, always stop to check.

Where a business is based in Australia, NSW Fair Trading will intervene to try and negotiate an outcome with a business that has potentially scammed a consumer.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner and Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said this year’s theme is how to spot a scam. Of those, 900 related to online marketplaces primarily involving consumers buying from fake websites, generally based overseas. It’s becoming increasingly important to inform people where to seek help if they, or someone they know, has fallen victim to a scam,” Ms Mann said. Check that communication is real by contacting the person or organisation directly using details you’ve found yourself,” Ms Mann said.

If a caller threatens you for immediate payment, it’s likely a scam.