
Scam Alert – Common Investment Cons to be Aware of…
In the first half of 2017, Australians reported losing over $13m to investment scams, according to the ACCCโs Scamwatch website.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning the public to watch out for investment scammers who promise great returns but โleave their victims with broken dreams and empty bank accounts.โ
This makes investment scams the most profitable of all the current scams.
Men are nearly twice as likely to be targeted by investment scams and lose more money than women. Additionally, people aged 45 to 64 are more commonly victimised, according to the ACCC.
Scammers are notorious for using high pressure tactics to sell financial opportunities that are โnot to be missedโ.
These opportunities involve high and quick returns for low risks, and need to be acted on quickly or the victim will purportedly miss out.
Common investment scams
Unsolicited phone calls and emails ย
These typically offer victims investment opportunities with high returns.
They can involve multiple people who use investment jargon and provide their targets with access to professional-looking websites and documents.
Superannuation funds
Via unsolicited calls, scammers will offer to roll their targetsโ superannuation funds into self-managed funds that will help reduce their taxes and provide great investment opportunities.
In reality, theyโre just stealing their targetsโ superannuation funds.
How to safeguard yourself:
- Hang up or delete all cold calls and emails offering unsolicited advice on investing.
- Visit the Australian Securities and Investments Commissionโs (ASIC)ย MoneySmart websiteย to check forย companies you shouldnโt be dealing with. You should also visit ASICโs professional registers to see if the person youโre dealing with has an Australian Financial Services License.
- Block the scammers on your social media accounts so that they canโt contact your family and friends.
- Conduct thorough research before proceeding with an investment.
- Never commit to an investment at seminars and always get independent financial advice.