Note that AnyDesk or Teamviewer are completely legal apps and not a malware.

Like any remote device control app, AnyDesk is a tool for IT professionals to work on remote devices without being on-site. This means by using this tool you can take control of other devices remotely. The situation is similar to how a popular useful tool like WhatsApp is being used to spread fake news due to lack of awareness. As for AnyDesk, very few seem to know about this and they end up giving access to their mobile screens to fraudsters.Every year, thousands of Australians are targeted by scams, whether it be online, via phone, mail or even in person. Australian Community Media has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities. If you have experienced a scam, report it to the ACCC via their website Many scammers are based overseas so from time to time the ACCC may also provide your report to government organisations overseas for the purposes of law enforcement and sharing intelligence about scam activity. The ACCC may also contact you about your report if any additional information is required. Scammers are impersonating the Australian Tax Office and sending text messages saying 'you are due to receive an ATO refund of $3742.11AUD' and includes a link to a website. The ATO never send texts or emails with links to log on directly to online services. READ MORE ABOUT SHIPPING CONTAINER SCAMS HERE Puppy scams still rampant Read more about scam losses in 2020 here.

Scamwatch has received reports of scams relating to COVID-19 vaccines including those that request payment for vaccines or for early access to vaccines offers to mail vaccines offers to pay money as an investment opportunity in the Pfizer vaccine and fake surveys related to vaccines that offer prizes or early access. To avoid a vaccination scam: If you are asked for any of these by someone claiming to provide COVID-19 vaccines, it is a scam. Be careful when you get unexpected contact or messages - remember, scammers can impersonate the government too. Always source phone numbers independently from official government websites.

Australian businesses reported over $14 million in losses to Scamwatch due to payment redirection scams last year, and average losses so far in 2021 are more than five times higher compared to average losses in the same period last year, according to In a payment redirection scam, also known as business email compromise scams, scammers impersonate a business or its employees via email and request that money, which usually is owed to the legitimate business, is sent to a fraudulent account. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, love is in the air and scammers are, unfortunately, active.

Last year Australians reported a record-breaking $37 million lost to dating and romance scams and with Valentine's Day on Sunday, Scamwatch is urging the public to be wary. Scammers are now using dating apps to lure victims into investment scams. Called romance baiting, this technique involves scammers meeting people on dating apps and then moving the conversation to an encrypted chat site. 'These scams prey on people seeking connection and can leave victims with significant financial losses and emotional distress,' Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair, Delia Rickard, said.Īfter a few weeks of developing a relationship, the scammer will begin asking about the victim's finances and encourage them to participate in an investment opportunity. 'While traditional dating and romance scams tend to target older Australians, almost half of all losses to romance baiting scams come from people under the age of 35.' Last year Scamwatch received over 400 reports of romance baiting scams. Scammers often encourage victims to initially transfer a small amount of money to prove how easy the investment is. Victims will be told to top up their accounts to increase their profits but when they run out of money to transfer, the scammer will cease all communication.

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