Media Release - Beware of scam in Newcastle

12 March 2015

12 March 2015 My office has today been alerted to an unscrupulous doorknocking scam by individuals who are claiming to be from an Australian Government Agency and are offering inducements such as iPads to enrol to study or retrain.The scammers are asking for personal information and documents such as name, birth certificates, Tax File Numbers and signatures. This is a scam and residents should not provide any personal details. I have alerted the ACCC and the ATO about this attempt to take advantage of our community members. Residents are reminded, if they think they have been scammed or are suspicious of any individual or organisation attempting to collect personal information, to report the scam to SCAMWatch on 1300 795 995 and visit the SCAMWatch website www.scamwatch.gov.au for more information.