The Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce will launch National Consumer Fraud Week with a warning that scammers can target you anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

Scammers do not stop at anything to target victims, including adopting a personal touch. Watch out for scammers – whether you are answering a phone call, opening mail, online chatting with friends, shopping or even looking for love.

The ACFT has issued to following advice to help you protect yourself against scammers

1. PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Your personal details are private and invaluable – keep them that way and away from scammers

2. DON’T RESPOND
Ignore suspicious emails, letters, phone calls or text messages – press ‘delete’, throw them out or just hang up

3. DON’T LET SCAMMERS PUSH YOUR BUTTONS
Scammers will play on your emotions to get what they want

4. RESIST THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Watch out for scammers posing as someone that you know and trust, or pretending to know you

Check out Scams: It’s Personal for more information on National Consumer Fraud Week, an initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce.

Stay one step ahead of scammers. Visit the Australian Government’s SCAMwatch website to get the low down on scams that target Australian consumers and small business. You can find out how scams work, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’ve been scammed.