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"This is horrific": Queen icon calls out convincing scam

Brian May has spoken out after becoming the target of a dangerous scam, urging people to be careful online. The guitarist of iconic rock band Queen was made aware of the scam by a fan, who sent him the TikTok of what seems to be May himself offering concert tickets at a discount. The video, which is actually AI-generated and has nothing to do with May or with Queen, shows the rockstar offering music fans the chance to see a concert from backstage. “I hope you’re all well out there,” says the fake Brian May in the video. “Some good news. Backstage tickets for my next show in your cities are now going for only $800, which were previously $2000. I’m only selecting 10 people in the comments, so if you’re ready to make payment, comment, ‘ready’.” May responded to the post publicly, sharing his horror and anger with fans over the “creepy” video, saying, “My God. This is horrific.” “I suppose this is now so easy to do – and there are always people who will sink to any depths to try to make a quick buck. Disgusting.” He continued, “Thanks for the alert dear (TikTok username) stereojazz. I’ve alerted our team and hopefully we can squash this.” Fans were quick to comment that they had almost been fooled by the convincing video. “That they abuse your beautiful personality for this scam hurts even more and is really scary. I hate it,” commented one. “It is insanely terrifying what AI can do these days,” wrote another. Image credits: TikTok

Legal

Do mobile phones cause brain cancer? Science makes definitive call

The question of whether mobile phones - specifically the electromagnetic radiation or radio waves emitted by these devices - cause cancer has been debated and researched for a long time, and now scientists have made a definitive call. A new comprehensive review commissioned by the World Health Organization has found that mobile phones are NOT linked to brain and head cancers. The systematic review, led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), examined over 5,000 studies, which included 63 observational studies on humans published between 1994 and 2022 and is "the most comprehensive review to date" according to review lead author, associate prof Ken Karipidis. “We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers," he said. The review, which was published on Wednesday, focused on cancers of the nervous system, salivary gland and brain tumours. They found no overall association between mobile phone use and cancer, even if people have used it for a long time (over 10 years) or spend a lot of time on their phones. “I’m quite confident with our conclusion. And what makes us quite confident is … even though mobile phone use has skyrocketed, brain tumour rates have remained stable,” Karipidis continued. Despite emitting electromagnetic radiation, also known as radio waves, the exposure is relatively low. Karipidis said people hear the word radiation and assume it is similar to nuclear radiation, “and because we use a mobile phone close to the head when we’re making calls, there is a lot of concern.” He clarified that “radiation is basically energy that travels from one point to another. There are many different types, for example, ultraviolet radiation from the sun." “We’re always exposed to low-level radio waves in the everyday environment.” While exposure from mobile phones is still low, it is much higher than exposure from any other wireless technology sources since they are used close to the head, Karipidis said. The association between mobile phones and cancers came about from early studies comparing differences between those with and without brain tumours and asking about their exposure history. According to Karipidis, who is also the vice-chair of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the results from these kind of studies tend to be biased, as the group with the tumour tend to overreport their exposure. Based on these early studies WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) designated radio-frequency fields like those from mobile phones as a possible cancer risk, but Karipidis said "this classification doesn’t mean all that much”. This is because the IARC has different classifications of cancer risk, with some substances classified as a “definite” carcinogen (such as smoking), and others as “probable” or “possible” carcinogens. Tim Driscoll, a professor at the University of Sydney and chair of the Australian Cancer Council’s occupational and environmental cancers committee, also backed the systematic review. “I think people should feel reassured by this study … but it’s worthwhile just remembering that the studies aren’t perfect, but the weight of evidence certainly is that mobile phones should be considered safe to use in terms of any concerns about increased risk of cancer,” Driscoll said. Images: Shutterstock

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New support system helps older Aussies who have fallen victim to scams

A new support system has been set up to help vulnerable older Australians who have fallen victim to dangerous scams. With millions of Aussies targeted every year, many of these targets are elderly with 30 percent of victims hesitant to come forward because they are too embarrassed to admit what's happened to them. One such victim, 86-year-old Mary, said she was humiliated after falling for a scam saying she is old enough to know better. "It serves me right, I shouldn't have been so trusting," she said. "You blame yourself and you don't really want to tell people how stupid you are, so you think, 'Well, I'll just have to bear it'." Mary was scammed when she received a call from a man pretending to be a technician, saying he needed access to her computer to resolve a problem in her area. Step by step, the "technician" got Mary to log-in and give him complete access to her entire online identification, completely cleaning her out of $20,000 in savings. This is why <a title="ID Support NSW" href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ID Support NSW</a> is now offering a free service to help older Australians be able to protect themselves online and spot suspicious activity. "The most common scams are romance and impersonation scams, where people pretend to be someone they're not," ID Support NSW's Jacqueline Wilson told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/scam-awareness-week-id-support-nsw-offering-free-help-for-older-australians/20d3f8d6-fe32-4b1d-af32-294e47f4412d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today</a>. "Most start with a text or call and once someone responds or engages, they usually end up losing money." Jacqueline said the best thing you could do if you even suspect a scammer was to just hang up the phone, saying, "You don't need to indulge them, you don't need to be polite, you don't need to engage in a long conversation." Image credits: Today

Legal

Warning over new scam preying on seniors

Police have issued an urgent warning for seniors to stay vigilant as a new scam targets more vulnerable Australians. Wollongong police officers have received reports of wills and estate documents allegedly being forged earlier this year, with inquiries ongoing. Scammers are currently targeting vulnerable members in the Illawarra community in Sydney, with elderly members of the community and their families being urged to take precautions to lower the risk of the new scam. "Examples of estate fraud include: a person signing a will that was a different document then they intended to sign, a person signing a will when they limited mental capacity, and an executor could pay themselves advances or unreasonable expenses from the estate,” a statement from a NSW Police spokesperson explained. Will fraud occurs when misleading or deceptive conduct is used while preparing a will. Executor fraud occurs when a person appointed to administer an estate uses deceitful tactics to gain access to estate assets, including false, fabricated or misleading statements used for the financial benefit. Anyone who has been affected or anyone with information have been urged to come forward to police. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Yes, blue light from your phone can harm your skin. A dermatologist explains

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-freeman-223922">Michael Freeman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> Social media is full of claims that everyday habits can harm your skin. It’s also full of recommendations or advertisements for products that can protect you. Now social media has blue light from our devices in its sights. So can scrolling on our phones really damage your skin? And will applying creams or lotions help? Here’s what the evidence says and what we should really be focusing on. <h2>Remind me, what actually is blue light?</h2> Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum. Sunlight is the strongest source. But our electronic devices – such as our phones, laptops and TVs – also emit it, albeit at levels <a href="https://melasmaclinic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Melasma-LEDS.pdf">100-1,000 times</a> lower. Seeing as we spend so much time using these devices, there has been some concern about the impact of blue light on our health, including <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-blue-light-glasses-really-work-can-they-reduce-eye-strain-or-help-me-sleep-213145">on our eyes and sleep</a>. Now, we’re learning more about the impact of blue light on our skin. <h2>How does blue light affect the skin?</h2> The evidence for blue light’s impact on skin is still emerging. But there are some interesting findings. 1. Blue light can increase pigmentation <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ced/article-abstract/46/5/934/6598472?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false">Studies</a> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/srt.13401">suggest</a> exposure to blue light can stimulate production of melanin, the natural skin pigment that gives skin its colour. So too much blue light can potentially worsen hyperpigmentation – overproduction of melanin leading to dark spots on the skin – especially in people with darker skin. 2. Blue light can give you wrinkles Some research <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6280109/">suggests</a> blue light might damage collagen, a protein essential for skin structure, potentially accelerating the formation of wrinkles. A laboratory <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29399830/">study suggests</a> this can happen if you hold your device one centimetre from your skin for as little as an hour. However, for most people, if you hold your device more than 10cm away from your skin, that would reduce your exposure <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse-square_law">100-fold</a>. So this is much less likely to be significant. 3. Blue light can disrupt your sleep, affecting your skin If the skin around your eyes looks dull or puffy, it’s easy to blame this directly on blue light. But as we know blue light affects sleep, what you’re probably seeing are some of the visible signs of sleep deprivation. We know blue light is particularly good at <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.01413.2009?rss=1">suppressing</a> production of melatonin. This natural hormone normally signals to our bodies when it’s time for sleep and helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. By suppressing melatonin, blue light exposure before bed disrupts this natural process, making it harder to fall asleep and potentially reducing the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07420528.2023.2173606">quality of your sleep</a>. The stimulating nature of screen content further disrupts sleep. Social media feeds, news articles, video games, or even work emails can keep our brains active and alert, hindering the transition into a sleep state. Long-term sleep problems can also <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ced/article-abstract/40/1/17/6621145?login=false">worsen</a> existing skin conditions, such as acne, eczema and rosacea. Sleep deprivation can elevate cortisol levels, a stress hormone that breaks down collagen, the protein responsible for skin’s firmness. Lack of sleep can also weaken the skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental damage and dryness. <h2>Can skincare protect me?</h2> The beauty industry has capitalised on concerns about blue light and offers a range of protective products such as mists, serums and lip glosses. From a practical perspective, probably only those with the more troublesome hyperpigmentation known as <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melasma">melasma</a> need to be concerned about blue light from devices. This condition requires the skin to be well protected from all visible light at all times. The only products that are totally effective are those that block all light, namely mineral-based suncreens or some cosmetics. If you can’t see the skin through them they are going to be effective. But there is a lack of rigorous testing for non-opaque products outside laboratories. This makes it difficult to assess if they work and if it’s worth adding them to your skincare routine. <h2>What can I do to minimise blue light then?</h2> Here are some simple steps you can take to minimise your exposure to blue light, especially at night when it can disrupt your sleep: <ul> <li> use the “night mode” setting on your device or use a blue-light filter app to reduce your exposure to blue light in the evening </li> <li> minimise screen time before bed and create a relaxing bedtime routine to avoid the types of sleep disturbances that can affect the health of your skin </li> <li> hold your phone or device away from your skin to minimise exposure to blue light </li> <li> use sunscreen. Mineral and physical sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and iron oxides offer broad protection, including from blue light. </li> </ul> <h2>In a nutshell</h2> Blue light exposure has been linked with some skin concerns, particularly pigmentation for people with darker skin. However, research is ongoing. While skincare to protect against blue light shows promise, more testing is needed to determine if it works. For now, prioritise good sun protection with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which not only protects against UV, but also light.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233335/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-freeman-223922">Michael Freeman</a>, Associate Professor of Dermatology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-blue-light-from-your-phone-can-harm-your-skin-a-dermatologist-explains-233335">original article</a>. </div>

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Optus giving away 20,000 free phones to vulnerable customers

Optus will be giving away 20,000 mobile phones to vulnerable customers ahead of the 3G network shut down. Following the footsteps of Telstra, who gave out <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/telstra-giving-free-phones-to-elderly-and-remote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">12,000 mobile phones</a> to their most vulnerable remote and elderly customers last month, Optus will offer thousands of free mobile phones to customers enduring financial hardship and vulnerable customers finding it difficult to replace their current phones. “We know that many impacted customers are actually using a 4G handset that reverts to 3G for calls, so it’s vital these customers understand the importance of upgrading their handsets when notified,” Optus’ head of new products Harvey Wright said. Messages have been sent to eligible customers, and the telco giant has also rolled out special deals encouraging Australian's to upgrade. The move to switch off 3G means that soon certain mobile devices will no longer be able to send texts, make calls, or contact triple-0 in an emergency. A few older 4G handsets will also be affected. Telstra will turn off their 3G network on August 31, while Optus will turn it off on September 1. TPG Telecom and Vodafone have already turned it off. Australia's mobile network operators say that the move will help boost the capacity, speed and reliability of the newer 4G and 5G networks. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) have also urged customers to take action to ensure that they stay connected. “Whether it’s your day-to-day mobile or one you keep in the drawer for an emergency, we encourage you to check all of your devices to ensure they will be supported once Australia’s 3G networks are switched off,” AMTA chief executive Louise Hyland said. The AMTA suggests that concerned customers should visit their <a href="https://amta.org.au/3g-closure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> to find out if their devices will be supported. “It is important to note that while 3G networks are still in operation, those affected mobile devices will continue to connect to any available 3G network while in coverage, to make emergency calls to triple-0,” Hyland said. “However, once the 3G networks are fully closed, these phones will not be able to make emergency calls. “It is crucial to act now if you know you have an older mobile device and you haven’t already upgraded.” Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Been scammed? Here's how to financially recover

Many people feel shame and embarrassment after realising they have been scammed. But you shouldn’t. You did nothing wrong; you are the victim of a crime. Not only are such feelings bad for your mental wellbeing, but they also often stop people reporting the scam or taking action to avoid further losses. Remember too that you’re not alone: victims reported more than 601,000 scams to the ACCC in 2023, together losing a staggering $2.74 billion. People of all ages, professions, and backgrounds have been affected. As hard as it may be, try to leave emotion aside and approach this like any other money matter – logically and methodically. Doing so will help you act faster and more decisively, which is crucial to your financial recovery. The following checklist will help you through this process: <ul> <li>Step 1 – Try to recoup your stolen money</li> </ul> Report the scam immediately. Contact your bank or card provider to stop the transaction being processed. Notify the company or marketplace where it occurred – they may have options to reverse the payment or for you to claim compensation for fraud. Also inform the ACCC’s Scamwatch and police if relevant, which may aid in tracking down the scammer and will help them alert the wider public on what to look out for. Unfortunately, the money is likely gone for good, but prompt action may just help you get some or all of it back. <ul> <li>Step 2 – Secure your accounts from further thefts</li> </ul> Once scammers have found a way to steal money, they often go back to try for more. Don’t let them! Freeze or cancel affected debit and credit cards, accounts etc. Change and strengthen all your passwords. Set up two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. Remove any suspicious applications on electronic devices. Double check the registrations of any business, adviser or tradesperson before engaging their services. Regularly check your superannuation, investments etc. to monitor for any inconsistencies. <ul> <li>Step 3 – Safeguard your cash flow</li> </ul> Don’t multiplying your losses by racking up new debts to cover the stolen money. That means limiting the use of credit cards, payday lenders and Buy Now, Pay Later schemes. Consider paying with cash instead to help you stick to a budget. If you have lost everything, register with Centrelink for income support. You may also be able to apply for hardship provisions with your bank, phone and energy providers and other essential services. <ul> <li>Step 4 – Get reputable advice</li> </ul> Legal advice may be able to get you out of bogus contracts, like loans or phone plans, and help you in the event your personal information has been stolen (which can be used in various ways to steal money). If you can’t afford a lawyer, there are free alternatives such as Legal Aid or Community Legal Centres. Specialist services such as the Women’s Legal Service may offer support where partner coercion or domestic abuse is involved. Accounting and financial advice may also help you navigate assistance options and longer term recovery efforts. <ul> <li>Step 5 – Rebuild your finances</li> </ul> Your ability to rebuild your finances after a scam will depend on a range of factors, including how much was lost plus your age and circumstances. You could seek to increase your earnings and/or cut your spending by tweaking your household budget, delaying retirement, or temporarily taking a second job to boost your income. Another option is to make your remaining finances work harder than before, such as adjusting your investment strategies (e.g. changing your risk weightings or selling assets) including within your superannuation or accessing equity in your home. If you’re a self-funded retiree, you may now qualify for a part or full pension if your scam losses push your total assets below the means test threshold. Ultimately, the most important things when dealing with the fallout from a scam is to look after yourself and protect what you have left. Scammers have already taken off with your dollars. Don’t let them steal your sense too! Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Aussies warned over new nbn scam

Aussies have been warned against a new nbn scam targeting businesses and residents. Last year, about 1,800 Australians lost more than $1.2 million to scammers pretending to be nbn employees in a remote access scam. Now, they have found a new way to scam unsuspecting businesses and residents by pretending to be employees and getting people to hand over their personal details and money in areas where actual nbn employees are working. The opportunistic scammers have been randomly knocking on doors or cold calling homes in areas where nbn technicians are installing new fibre. A few people have already been duped, with nbn impersonators calling customers claiming they need money to pay for new internet hardware or postage costs. Scammers have also offered to inspect people's homes for a nbn fibre upgrade and took their bank account details in the process. Other impersonators have called customers saying they would show up a few days later, despite having no prior appointment booked. Scammers have also impersonated staff, and used the presence of actual nbn vehicles on the street as proof of their authenticity. “These impersonators are also asking residents for payment to test their services or secure upgrades and repair works in the future,” nbn Local head Chris Cusack said. “In taking the payment these people are then skimming banking and card details to extract more money afterwards. “We are asking residents to be extra-vigilant against scams, especially while legitimate nbn work is underway.” Nbn has advised that their technicians would always contact people to ensure they were aware of visits before their appointments, and inform them of where they will be doing fibre upgrades. They also send their customers texts to confirm or cancel the appointment, and let them know when they are on their way. Nbn technicians never ask for payment for an appointment, postage costs, hardware costs, or access to any devices. Approved technicians and workers all carry identification cards, and the nbn Local head suggested that customers should always request to see the card before providing access to their residence. “Do not share your bank or personal details with an unsolicited caller or with people who door knock claiming to be from nbn trying to sell you an nbn service or seeking payment for related services,” Cusack said. “If you get contacted like this, please close your door, or hang up the phone and report it to the ACCC’s Scam watch.” Images: news.com.au

Legal

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest's major win over scam ads

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has had a major win against Facebook owner Meta, with a US court allowing him to continue to sue the platform over fake advertisements using his name. The scam Facebook ads show him promoting fake cryptocurrency and other fraudulent investments. The ruling means that the court will consider whether Meta breached its duty by publishing the advertisements, and whether they operated in a way that facilitated scam ads by using defective screening and review procedures. US District Judge Casey Pitts in San Jose, California, made the decision on Monday, and said that Forrest can try to prove Meta's negligence and whether his name and likeness was misappropriated by Meta, and not just by fraudsters behind the bogus ads. "Dr Forrest claims that Meta profited more from ads that included his likeness than it would have if the ads had not," Pitts wrote. "This is enough to adequately plead that the alleged misappropriation was to Meta's advantage." Forrest said that there were over 1000 ads scam ads using his name that appeared on Facebook in Australia between April and November 2023, leading to millions of dollars in losses for victims. The billionaire reportedly first raised the fraudulent advertisements with Meta back in 2014, but nothing happened, according to the Herald Sun. This is the first time a social media company was unable to invoke Section 230 immunity in a US civil case over its advertising business. It's a significant move, as social media companies in the US are usually immune from liability in the US for content posted by third parties. "This is a crucial strategic victory in the battle to hold Facebook accountable," Forrest said. The billionaire is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Image: Dinendra Haria/LNP/ Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

Why you should be wary of charging your phone in an airport

While charging stations at airports can often be life-savings before boarding a flight, it turns out these handy outlets can be leaving you vulnerable. Many people have fought over a spot to charge up your devices at the last minute before embarking on a holiday, but next time you leave home with your phone or laptop needing some more juice, think again. Emily Stallings, co-founder of tech retailer <a href="https://www.getcasely.com/">Casely</a>, says that by plugging your phone into a power outlet at a public USB charging station, you're at risk of data breaches and malware infection. "If a device gets infected, it could end up leaking sensitive information or even stop working properly," she told <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/charging-phone-at-the-airport-danger-expert/57d141df-33ba-4a50-89e5-26f6f2a0c18d">9Travel</a>. These public USB ports have often been compromised by cybercriminals, who then use these unsecured ports to steal sensitive information transmitted between devices. "From personal emails to financial data, the information intercepted through these compromised ports could lead to identity theft, financial loss, and other serious consequences," explains Stallings. The best way to get around this threat, without letting your phone run out of battery, is to pack a portable charging device in your carry-on bag every time you travel. With your own cord and power bank, it's far less likely that any sneaky hackers will be able to access your device's data. Stallings says you can also enable security features such as USB Restricted Mode on your device, for those moments when you're desperate for a charger and have to rely on public ports. "This adds an extra layer of protection against potential data breaches and malware infections when charging from public USB ports." "By activating USB Restricted Mode or similar security features, you restrict data transfer over USB connections, effectively preventing unauthorised access to your device's data while charging in public spaces." Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Costly mistakes to avoid when travelling

While travelling the world is an exciting and joyous way to spend your time, getting caught up in devious scams can sour even the best holiday. Whenever you hit the road, there are a few measures you can take to avoid being hit by hackers and sneaky scammers, and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. When it comes to online scams, some countries are more vulnerable than others, as NAB Executive, Group Investigations Chris Sheehan says. "Just like you'd plan visas and check the weather at your destination, it's also vital to be aware of common scams in the countries you're visiting so you can recognise the red flags and protect yourself," he said. When travelling in a new country, it’s important to be wary of accommodation or booking website impersonation scams, ticket scams for major events, as well as overcharging or wrong charge scams. "The pressure to act now is a red flag in ticket and accommodation scams, while overcharging or wrong charging scams play on distraction and a lack of detail," Chris says. "Letting your bank know where and when you're travelling can help with more accurately monitoring your transactions for suspicious activity while you're away." Another thing to be wary of when on holiday is to avoid posting your real-time location on social media, or inadvertently sharing sensitive travel documents can expose you to serious risks. Broadcasting your whereabouts can make you vulnerable to various risks, including burglary, stalking, and other personal safety threats, while criminals can take advantage of the information you share to target you or your unoccupied home. Travel expert Trevor Cooke from <a href="https://earthweb.com/">EarthWeb</a> says its best to wait until you’ve moved on until you share your location online. "If you really want to share the location of where you travelled to, wait until you're already at the next location or back home," he says. "By delaying your posts, you can still share your experiences without compromising your safety." Another thing to keep in mind when you’re next hitting the road is to be wary about unknowingly posting personal information online, such as your boarding pass. "Many people don't realise how much personal information is on your boarding pass and other temporary travel documents," says security expert Trevor. "Boarding passes, for instance, contain sensitive data such as your full name, frequent flyer number, and a barcode that can be scanned to reveal even more information. This data can be used by criminals for identity theft, unauthorised access to your accounts, and other malicious activities." "To protect yourself, always double-check that any picture you upload does not include your boarding pass, travel itinerary, hotel receipts, or any other sensitive information," Trevor adds. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Telstra giving free phones to elderly and remote

With the 3G network set to shut down completely on August 31, Telstra announced that it will be giving 12,000 mobile phones away for free in a bid to help the most vulnerable customers switch to 4G. Starting from Tuesday, the telecommunications company will be issuing complimentary phones to customers who are elderly, live rurally or are facing difficult situations. These include those facing financial issues, recovering from natural disasters, or those who have a life-threatening medical condition and therefore rely on a working phone. Telstra have also identified those who live regionally or are over 80 years old and may require extra transition support, as they may have difficulty accessing a physical store to make the switch. Those who are flagged as eligible will be contacted by the telco company, and they are encouraging customers who receive the message to follow the instructions given to make the switch. Major Brendan Nottle from The Salvation Army has praised this initiative for helping the "most vulnerable members of our community." “Connection is one of the most important things to maintain in our society, whether it is with friends and family or with housing and support services,” he said. “Ensuring that every Australian, from any background or level of income, can take part in our modern digital society is crucial. “A phone can be a gateway to social inclusion, community connection and support, and with the upcoming closure of 3G networks in Australia it is important for us to reach out and ensure that this can continue for everyone.” Customers who are yet to upgrade are also told to make the switch sooner than later. Other devices that will be affected by the shutdown include certain smart watches, tablets, medical alarms, EFTPOS terminals and security monitors. Images: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

"I felt duped": 95-year-old loses $1.6 million in bank scam

A 95-year-old has been left feeling "sick" after she was scammed out of $1.6 million by heartless scammers claiming to be a bank. In November last year, Harriet Spring received a call from a man who called himself George Thompson, and said he worked for ING Bank. The man gained Harriet's trust over several months, at the difficult time that the great-grandmother was handling the sale of her mother's house. "Over time, I completely thought he was from ING, I had no reason to believe he wasn't," she told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/95-year-old-great-grandmother-loses-more-than-1-million-life-savings-to-scammers/f41540e7-f5c9-4c3b-89a7-ac94dd81bf6a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today</a>. "George" then convinced Harriet the money from the sale of the house could build interest in an ING account, but it was actually being held by Westpac Bank. "It sounds implausible now, but the scammer had me convinced and I told my mother's bank, Teachers Mutual Bank, that this was an ING fixed term deposit, but it was being put in the Westpac bank," she said. "I put down the BSB number and the account number and what I thought was my name attached to the account, (my mother's bank) pointed out that it seems strange and ING account would be held with Westpac, but they still went ahead and authorised the transfer." When Harriet realised the scammers had taken hold of her life savings totalling $1.6 million, she felt "sick". "Obviously my world just fell out from under me - I just felt sick," she said. "I felt utterly responsible, I felt duped, foolish, ashamed - a lot of shame associated with it and I think that's why a lot of people don't come forward and talk about this kind of thing." Harriet has shared her story as a warning for others to be wary of potential scammers, while also calling on banks to have better protocols in place to stop suspicious transactions from going through. "Someone with basic training from the bank would have known that ING don't bank with any other banks and they should have flagged it," she said. "I believe the reality is that the banks 100 per cent put the blame on the victims and they minimise their own liability." "There should be some sort of system for compensating victims, the banks don't commit the theft, but they certainly drive the getaway car and they need to be held responsible for being complicit with this." Image credits: Today

Legal

"Expectation vs Reality": Woman's reaction to hotel scam

A woman was left outraged after forking out on a hotel room with a gorgeous sea view, only to find out she had fallen for a scam. Influencer Clarisa Murgia paid an obscene amount of money for the room with a view, which was advertised as part of a holiday of a lifetime across Europe. Expecting blue seas, sailing boats and a view of the mountain range, the influencer was utterly disappointed when she found out that the breathtaking views was nothing but a poster attached to the wall of the building outside her window. She shared footage of the "view" on TikTok, with the caption "Expectation vs Reality" and from one angle the poster looked just like the real thing. But as she pans to the another side, the massive poster emerges attached to a crumbling white wall, with her actual view being rows of barred white windows and a dingy alley. "Someone rented a B&B with a sea view. I feel scammed, guys," the influencer added. "No one has ever deceived me like this before, hahaha." The video racked up over 2.5million views, with many joking about her unfortunate situation. "Not even my ex lied that much," one joked. "My luck in life is summarised in this video," another added. "That's why I always look at the location so I don't fail," a third wrote. Images: TikTok

Travel Trouble

How to avoid 6 common tourist scams

Often when people are on holidays their focus is on relaxing or seeing the sights of the area. But if you don’t keep your wits about you, it’s possible you might end up losing everything to scammers who will do anything to get their hands on your belongings. Here we have six common scams to look out for while you are travelling abroad. Scam 1: You are in a busy bar in a tourist friendly area when some locals ask where you’re from and offer to buy you a drink. Without thinking, you accept the drink and then find yourself waking up hours later without any of your belongings as you’ve had your drink spiked. Solution: If people seem too friendly, be aware that they may be scammers. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know, and don’t leave your drink unattended to use the bathroom. Scam 2: You are about to put your handbag and computer on the conveyer belt to go through the scanner. The people in front of you walk through the metal detector and while one goes through, the other sets off the alarms. They step back into where you are standing and take their time removing wallets and coins from their pockets. While you are waiting for your turn to walk through the metal detector, the other person has taken your belongings and is long gone. Solution: Don’t place your items on the conveyer belt until there is no one else waiting in front of you to go through the metal detector. Scam 3: In a busy area such as after a concert or a busy night like New Year’s Eve it can be impossible to get public transport or a taxi back to your hotel. A friendly looking guy comes by and offers you a lift for a reasonable fee using his private car. The scam itself can then range from being charged an exorbitant amount when you arrive at your hotel – or you could even find yourself robbed and dropped by the side of the road with no way home. Solution: However tempting it is, never get in the car with an unlicensed taxi driver. This is even more important to note if you are travelling alone. Scam 4: While you are waiting with your luggage for a train or bus, a passer-by appears to drop their wallet and walk off without noticing. You might try to do the right thing by grabbing the wallet and running after the person to return it. By the time you get back, your luggage is missing. Solution: When travelling alone, never leave your items unattended even if it means you don’t help someone when you normally would. This is especially true in airports where baggage will quickly be confiscated if left alone. Scam 5: You’re taking in the sights when a couple of men dressed as policemen approach you. They demand to see your wallet and let you know that counterfeit money has been given to tourists in the area. When your wallet is returned it has had much of the contents removed. Solution: Police would never demand to see your wallet. If something doesn’t feel right, suggest that you continue the discussion at the nearest police station as you don’t feel comfortable. Most likely they will not push their luck. Scam 6: You receive a phone call in your hotel room late at night from someone claiming to be from the front desk. They apologise for the late call but request that you just confirm your credit card details as their system is playing up. You read out the numbers and hang up. Before too long your credit card has rung up a huge bill as this was a scammer calling you, not a staff member. Solution: Organise payment in person by letting the caller know that you will come down to the front desk to discuss it. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Kochie's thoughtful act for scam victim

David Koch has given back to a hard-working Aussie who lost her life savings to a convincing scam. For many years, scammers have been using the likeness of Australian celebrities to con people out of their money. Kochie is just one of many high-profile personalities who have had their identities used to run convincing scams, that thousands of people have fallen victim to. The former Sunrise host has often taken to social media to warn people of the illegitimate ads, but it hasn't been enough to stop the scammers in their tracks. In a special 7News Spotlight investigation, Kochie joined the team to lift the lid on the multi-billion-dollar scam industry in which fake advertisements featuring well-known celebrities have been used to con more than 600,000 Aussies. “It’s devastating because it’s my reputation on the line,” says Koch. “And these scams are so good, they’re so believable that people who trust me look at me and say, ‘Wow, I’m getting some comfort out of what this bloke is saying,’ and then are ripped off by some scammer from overseas.” Koch is desperately trying to stop this criminal act, saying, “I’ve reported it to the ACCC and ASIC. I’m part of an ACCC case against Meta at the moment surrounding these scam ads.” As part of the investigation, Kochie met Allison, who lost $250,000 when she invested her money in what she thought was a reputable company, fronted by who she believed to be the former Sunrise host. As an avid Port Adelaide supporter, she trusts Koch, who is also the Chairman of the football club. “Port Adelaide members are all part of a big family,” says Koch. “And the fact that these scammers use my association with the club to prey on members is just abhorrent.” After losing her savings, Allison has been struggling to make ends meet, and is on a payment plan so she can stay as a member of the AFL club she loves. After learning of her story, Koch himself has stepped in and ensured she has lifelong membership. “It’s the least we can do,” says Koch to Allison. “Because, football has got to be your haven.” Allison is just one of the many victims of complex scams in Australia, with reporter Sarah Greenhalgh believes millions of dollars have been illegally stolen. “The scammers successfully prey on these people’s unique vulnerabilities and the victims’ lives have changed forever as a result,” she says. Image credits: 7News Spotlight

Money & Banking

Australians lose $5,200 a minute to scammers. There’s a simple thing the government could do to reduce this. Why won’t they?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a> What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work? That’s how it looks when it comes to <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams">scams</a>, which are attempts to trick us out of our funds, usually by getting us to hand over our identities or bank details or transfer funds. Last year we lost an astonishing <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/scam-losses-decline-but-more-work-to-do-as-australians-lose-27-billion">A$2.74 billion</a> to scammers. That’s more than $5,200 per minute – and that’s only the scams we know about from the 601,000 Australians who made reports. Many more would have kept quiet. If the theft of $5,200 per minute seems over the odds for a country Australia’s size, a comparison with the United Kingdom suggests you are right. In 2022, people in the UK lost <a href="https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/system/files/2023-05/Annual%20Fraud%20Report%202023_0.pdf">£2,300</a> per minute, which is about A$4,400. The UK has two and a half times Australia’s population. It’s as if international scammers, using SMS, phone calls, fake invoices and fake web addresses are targeting Australia, because in other places it’s harder. If we want to cut Australians’ losses, it’s time to look at rules about to come into force in the UK. <h2>Scams up 320% since 2020</h2> The current federal government is doing a lot – almost everything it could. Within a year of taking office, it set up the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/national-anti-scam-centre">National Anti-Scam Centre</a>, which coordinates intelligence. Just this week, the centre reported that figure of $2.74 billion, which is down 13% on 2022, but up 50% on 2021 and 320% on 2020. It’s planning “<a href="https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2023-464732">mandatory industry codes</a>” for banks, telecommunication providers and digital platforms. But the code it is proposing for banks, set out in a <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/c2023-464732-cp.pdf">consultation paper</a> late last year, is weak when compared to overseas. <h2>Banks are the gatekeepers</h2> Banks matter, because they are nearly always the means by which the money is transferred. Cryptocurrency is now much less used after the banks agreed to limit payments to high risk exchanges. Here’s an example of the role played by banks. A woman the Consumer Action Law Centre is calling <a href="https://consumeraction.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Joint-submission-CALC-CHOICE-ACCAN-31012024-Scams-Mandatory-code-treasury-consultA.pdf">Amelia</a> tried to sell a breast pump on Gumtree. The buyer asked for her bank card number and a one-time PIN and used the code to whisk out $9,100, which was sent overseas. The bank wouldn’t help because she had provided the one-time PIN. Here’s another. A woman the Competition and Consumer Commission is calling <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Targeting%20scams%202022.pdf">Niamh</a> was contacted by someone using the National Australia Bank’s SMS ID. Niamh was told her account was compromised and talked through how to transfer $300,000 to a “secure” account. After she had done it, the scammer told her it was a scam, laughed and said “we are in Brisbane, come find me”. <h2>How bank rules protect scammers</h2> And one more example. Former University of Melbourne academic <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377766055_Scams_Blaming_the_Victims">Kim Sawyer</a> (that’s his real name, he is prepared to go public) clicked on an ad for “St George Capital” displaying the dragon logo of St. George Bank. He was called back by a man using the name of a real St. George employee, who persuaded him to transfer funds from accounts at the AMP, Citibank and Macquarie to accounts he was told would be in his and his wife’s name at Westpac, ANZ, the Commonwealth and Bendigo Banks. They lost <a href="https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/i-lost-2-5m-of-my-super-to-scammers-20240423-p5flzp">$2.5 million</a>. Sawyer says none of the banks – those that sent the funds or those that received them – would help him. Some cited “<a href="https://www.choice.com.au/money/financial-planning-and-investing/stock-market-investing/articles/st-george-capital-investment-scam">privacy</a>” reasons. The Consumer Action Law Centre says the banks that transfer the scammed funds routinely tell their customers “it’s nothing to do with us, you transferred the money, we can’t help you”. The banks receiving the funds routinely say “you’re not our customer, we can’t help you”. That’s here. Not in the UK. <h2>UK bank customers get a better deal</h2> In Australia in 2022, only <a href="https://download.asic.gov.au/media/mbhoz0pc/rep761-published-20-april-2023.pdf">13%</a> of attempted scam payments were stopped by banks before they took place. Once scammed, only 2% to 5% of losses (depending on the bank) were reimbursed or compensated. In <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/information-for-consumers/app-fraud-performance-data/">the UK</a>, the top four banks pay out 49% to 73%. And they are about to pay out much more. From October 2024, reimbursement will be compulsory. Where authorised fast payments are made “because of deception by fraudsters”, the banks will have to reimburse <a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/investigation-fraud-and-risk/app-fraud-uk">the lot</a>. Normally the bills will be split <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/news-and-updates/latest-news/news/psr-confirms-new-requirements-for-app-fraud-reimbursement/">50:50</a> between the bank transferring the funds and the bank receiving them. Unless there’s a need for further investigations, the payments must be made within five days. The <a href="https://www.psr.org.uk/media/as3a0xan/sr1-consumer-standard-of-caution-guidance-dec-2023.pdf">only exceptions</a> are where the consumer seeking reimbursement has acted fraudulently or with gross negligence. The idea behind the change – pushed through by the Conservative government now led by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – is that if scams are the banks’ problem, if they are costing them millions at a time, they’ll stop them. <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/350197309/banks-given-fraud-ultimatum">New Zealand</a> is looking at doing the same thing, <a href="https://www.biocatch.com/blog/mas-shared-responsibility-fraud-losses">as is Singapore</a>. But here, the treasury’s discussion paper on its mandatory codes mentions reimbursement <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/c2023-464732-cp.pdf">only once</a>. That’s when it talks about what’s happening in the UK. Neither treasury nor the relevant federal minister is proposing it here. <h2>Australia’s approach is softer</h2> Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones is in charge of Australia’s rules. Asked why he wasn’t pushing for compulsory reimbursement here, Jones said on Monday <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/transcripts/interview-mark-gibson-abc-perth">prevention was better</a>. <blockquote> I think a simplistic approach of just saying, ‘Oh, well, if any loss, if anyone incurs a loss, then the bank always pay’, won’t work. It’ll just make Australia a honeypot for these international crime gangs, because they’ll say, well, ‘Let’s, you know, focus all of our activity on Australia because it’s a victimless crime if banks always pay’. </blockquote> Telling banks to pay would certainly focus the minds of the banks, in the way they are about to be focused in the UK. The <a href="https://www.ausbanking.org.au/submissions/">Australian Banking Association</a> hasn’t published its submission to the treasury review, but the <a href="https://consumeraction.org.au/scams-mandatory-industry-codes-consultation-paper/">Consumer Action Law Centre</a> has. It says if banks had to reimburse money lost, they’d have more of a reason to keep it safe. In the UK, they are about to find out. If Jones is right, it might be about to become a honeypot for scammers. If he is wrong, his government will leave Australia even further behind when it comes to scams – leaving us thousands more dollars behind per day.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/228867/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, Visiting Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-lose-5-200-a-minute-to-scammers-theres-a-simple-thing-the-government-could-do-to-reduce-this-why-wont-they-228867">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

REVIEW: Portable laptop monitor

In an era where mobility is paramount, the evolution of technology continues to shape the way we work, play and even travel. Among the many innovations out there aimed at enhancing our digital nomadic lifestyle, the Mobile Pixels DUEX range of portable laptop monitors stands out as a true game-changer. Gone are the days of being tethered to a single screen. With Mobile Pixels' DUEX Series, you can extend your workspace effortlessly, transforming your laptop into a dual-screen powerhouse anywhere, any time. It's such an easy way to seamlessly blend convenience with functionality, redefining the possibilities of productivity while you travel. Travelling for work is one thing, but as often as not it's all about embracing new experiences and enjoying moments of leisure. With a DUEX, your entertainment options are no longer confined to a small laptop screen; you can immerse yourself in your favourite movies, play games, or catch up on the latest episodes of your favourite TV shows in stunning clarity and detail. The vivid display and immersive audio of the DUEX screens also ensure that every moment of downtime is a delight. Designed with the modern traveller in mind, a DUEX laptop screen strikes the perfect balance between portability and functionality. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it the ideal companion for any journey, fitting seamlessly into your backpack or carry-on luggage. It unfolds effortlessly, instantly expanding your workspace wherever you go. Whether you're working from a bustling cafe, a tranquil park or a cramped airplane seat, a DUEX portable laptop screen adapts to your environment with ease. So whether you're a digital nomad, a frequent traveller, or simply seeking to optimise your productivity, the Mobile Pixels DUEX range of portable laptop monitors are a must-have companion for the modern adventurer. Embrace the freedom to work, play and explore on your own terms, wherever your journey may take you. The range comes in the DUEX Lite, Plus or Max varieties. The DUEX Lite is the most affordable option, weighing in at under 600g and boasting a 12.5” screen for $499. The DUEX Plus has a 13.3” screen and retails for $549. The DUEX Max is the premium option with a 14” screen, retailing for $599. All versions are available in Grey and Navy, and can be found at JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, Amazon, Mwave and Rosman Computers. For more information, check out the full <a href="https://www.mobilepixels.com.au/duex" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mobile Pixels DUEX range here</a>. Image: Mobile Pixels

Travel Tips

Tourist slapped with $225k bill after simple mistake

An American tourist has revealed the moment he was charged with a $US143k (AU$225k) bill after a short holiday to Switzerland. Rene Remund and his wife Linda went on the trip last September. Prior to their travels, Remund made sure to inform his mobile phone provider, T-Mobile, that he was going overseas and as a customer of 30 years, he was told he was “covered”. So, with no worries at all, the tourist shared photos of his moments in the Swiss countryside with friends and family via photo messages. Imagine his surprise when he came home to a six-figure bill, after he racked up thousands and thousands of dollars in daily roaming costs. “I get this T-Mobile bill and it doesn’t bother me very much because I was reading $143,” he explained, adding it wasn’t until he went to pay the bill that he realised a few more zeros were involved. “I look at the bill and I say, ‘excuse me’,” he said. “$143,000 … are you guys crazy?” According to the bill, Remund had racked up 9.5 gigabytes of data while in Europe, which cost him thousands of dollars each day. While it wasn't a huge amount of data, not being covered by roaming fees will cause a user to run up a huge bill very quickly. “I called [T-Mobile] and the girl put me on hold for a while,” he explained. “She said let me check this out and I’ll get back to you. She gets back and says, yeah this is a good bill. “I said, ‘what do you mean it’s a good bill?’ And she says ‘well, this is what you owe’. “I said ‘you’re kidding me … you’re crazy’.” After confirming that his bill was in fact AU$225,000, Remund hired a lawyer to argue the fact that he was covered for international roaming. His lawyer issued a letter to the president of T-Mobile, and they only received a reply a few days ago. The letter from T-Mobile allegedly said that the service provider was “sorry” for the charges, and that Remund would receive a “credit” to eliminate the entire bill. In an email shared to local media Scripps News Tampa, the mobile phone provider said that customers should always “check the travel features of their plan, such as international data roaming, before departing”. “If a customer is on an older plan that doesn’t include international roaming for data and calling, they’ll need to make sure they’re using aeroplane mode and wi-fi when using data to be certain the device doesn’t connect to an international network.” <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Images: ABC Action News

Travel Trouble

Millions of phones at risk of being cut off from calling triple-0

Over a million Aussies may be unable to contact triple-0 as two major telcos cut their 3G networks. Telstra's network will be closed on June 30 this year followed by Optus, which will shut their 3G network in September. While most late model phones are now serviced by either 4G or 5G networks, there are many devices that still rely on 3G. Approximately 113,000 Telstra customers have not upgraded their 3G handsets, while Optus have not disclosed a figure. The greater concerns lie for older 4G-enabled handsets that may not be able to call triple-0 once the 3G networks are switched off, because of the way those phones are configured. In March, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was informed that 740,000 Australians were in that category. A month later, that figure was revised to over a million. "I welcome the industry’s first report to government but am concerned around their disclosure of around one million potentially impacted consumers,” the minister said. “I am considering the detail provided and next steps, and the government will have more to say about the 3G switchover soon.” She also said that they were open to delaying the switchover "if warranted in the public interest”. “Options exist under law for the government to consider proposals to delay the planned switchover, subject to consultation and procedural processes,” she said. Telstra has informed customers about what to do if they are affected, and how they could check. “If your mobile device doesn’t have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, even if it uses 4G data, it will not be able to make voice calls on our network after 30 June 2024,” they informed their customers. “Not all VoLTE enabled devices support emergency VoLTE calling, meaning they will not be able to make an emergency call to triple-0 once 3G closes." “Without taking the recommended action you won’t be able to connect to a network after 30 June 2024,” they warned. Customers who are worried that they might be impacted, are encouraged to text 3 to the number 3498, so that the telco can inform the customer on their connection status. Optus have also encouraged customers to contact them if they think they may be affected. Image: Getty

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Australians lose $5,200 a minute to scammers. There’s a simple thing the government could do to reduce this. Why won’t they?

REVIEW: Portable laptop monitor

Tourist slapped with $225k bill after simple mistake

Millions of phones at risk of being cut off from calling triple-0

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