ACCC sounds warning on bushfire fundraiser scams

THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned people not to be sucked in by scams when trying to donate to appeals raising funds for people and animals affected by the bushfire crisis.

Scammers are pretending to be legitimate well-known charities, impersonating people negatively affected by the bushfires, and creating their own charity names.There have been reports of scammers cold-calling, direct messaging, and creating fake websites and pages on social media to raise funds.

The ACCC suggests people wanting to make donations should protect themselves with the following information:

• Do not donate via fundraising pages on platforms that do not verify the legitimacy of the fundraiser or that do not guarantee your money will be returned if the page is determined to be fraudulent
• Be careful about crowdfunding requests as these may be fake and also come from scammers. Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations. If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead
• If you are donating to an established charity or not-for-profit organisation, ensure it is registered and that you are on its official website by searching the Australia Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Charity Register, and
• If you think you have paid money to a scammer, please contact your bank immediately.

ScamWatch reported a similar surge of fake charities following the 2015 bushfires.

People can make a report or find more information about where to get help on the ScamWatch website at scamwatch.gov.au.

The ACCC has also set up a dedicated phone number for the public to report bushfire related scams. People can phone 1300 795 995 to report these scams.