Government Officer Impersonations
Scammers can have no fear in their attempts to grab your money or personal information or even infect your computer with malware.
Scammers have reportedly said they were from the Department of Commerce (or Cormerce Depertment as they have called it in one scam) by email or phone.
Email scam
A plumbing business and builder (who are either registered or licensed with the Building Commission) have reported receiving this spoofed email.
It's likely the PDF contains malicious software.
What to do:
- Do not open it
- Do not click on any links
- Delete it
- Check your virus scanner is up-to-date and run a virus scan
Phone scam
A licence applicant reported they were contacted by phone by someone impersonating an Officer from Consumer Protection Licensing.
It appears the caller contacted the applicant as a result of the notification of intention to apply for a licence, which was published in The West Australian newspaper, and requested personal information such as his Medicare number, driver’s licence number and mother’s maiden name.
These kinds of personal details can be used by potential scammers to pose as you and gain access to financial and other secured information.
What to do:
- Ignore the call - the Department of Commerce does not require these kinds of details in order to assess a licence application. All of the personal information required by the Commissioner is referred to on the Application Form.
- Never provide personal information to unknown callers. If you are requested to provide information by email, details should only be sent to addresses ending in “@commerce.wa.gov.au”.
- If you have recently applied for a licence and are contacted by anyone claiming to be a Consumer Protection licensing officer and asking for additional personal information, please get the officer’s name and phone back on Consumer Protection’s Licensing Line: 1300 30 40 64.