A growing number of Victorians are being reeled in by phishing scams, despite widespread warnings about the lure of too-good-to-be-true offers.
Financial losses linked to the scams increased by 20 per cent in 2018, Consumer Affairs Victoria Executive Director Sam Jenkin said on Wednesday.
The crimes often involve an unsolicited approach by phone, online or in the mail, asking for personal information including bank details, so money can be paid out.
"They pretend to be a business that you have an account with - such as your bank, phone company or internet provider - and ask you to provide or confirm your personal details," Mr Jenkin said.
"To protect yourself, don't provide any information. Contact the business independently to check whether the call or message is genuine."
Consumer Affairs is joining forces with Crime Stoppers to try and combat the increase in phishing-related losses.
Crime Stoppers Victoria CEO Stella Smith said the consequences of phishing scams can be catastrophic and can go deeper than just financial loss.
It can result in identity theft and bad credit ratings, she added.
"Victims may not even know that they have been a victim of a phishing scam until months, even years, after the event."
In 2018, of the 24,291 reports of phishing, only 357 resulted in financial loss, but police believe this is because the purpose of the scams is to obtain information rather than money.
Australian Associated Press
