10 stories this week:
PayID scams: How criminals are exploiting this ‘safe’ payment system – 23 January 2024
PayID is promoted as a way to avoid scams when making payments, but criminals are targeting its users to steal from people selling items online. Scammers will commonly say that your PayID needs to be “upgraded” to a “business” account. The fake emails and messages deployed as part of the scam will usually direct you to collaborate with the phoney buyer to resolve the issue – a process which will involve an extra payment
https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/online-shopping/selling-online/articles/payid-scams
Apple to settle lawsuit alleging it knowingly allowed gift card scam – 4 January 2024
Apple Inc. has reached a deal to settle a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of knowingly allowing scams that use its gift cards to steal funds from victims. The scams typically involve people asking victims to buy Apple Store or other gift cards and then share the codes that come on the back of the cards, thus giving them access to the money. However, Apple would benefit from the scams too – the scammers would typically only receive 70% of the stolen funds, while Apple kept a 30% commission.
Can My Employer Spy on Me at Work? – 5 January 2024
The proliferation of technology has contributed to a rise in unfair dismissal claims and complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman, some of which have resulted from unlawful surveillance. Employment lawyers are therefore encouraging employers to ensure they understand the rules that apply and the rights of employees before implementing ‘big brother’ measures.
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/can-my-employer-spy-on-me-at-work/
Stall at centre of alleged $15m Westpac fraud scheme faces ASIC action – 5 January 2024
The director of a mango and mandarin stall at Sydney’s Flemington Markets that allegedly defrauded Westpac of $15 million over five years will be reported to the corporate cop by its liquidators for “investigation and possible prosecution”. The stall – Fresh Xpress – is allegedly at the centre of a scam that falsified revenues, profits and invoices to steal from Westpac, which told the NSW Supreme Court up to 90 per cent of the invoices it received from 2011 to 2020 were suspicious.
Trump should pay $370m for financial fraud, says New York attorney genera – 6 January 2024
New York’s attorney general is seeking $370 million from former president Donald Trump in a fraud case which has seen the real estate mogul accused of inflating the value of his properties. State lawyers also asked the judge overseeing Trump’s civil fraud trial to permanently ban Trump from participating in New York’s real estate industry, or from serving as a director or officer at a corporation or legal entity in the state.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/05/trump-civil-fraud-new-york-letitia-james
Countdown to 2024: Four AI-driven trends you must be ready for – 8 January 2024
In this article, Rahul Yadav, Chief Technology Officer for Milestone Systems, explores this AI-driven future where, instead of humans watching video, software does the watching, and humans make decisions. These trends are enhancing operational performance and opening new opportunities in the security sector.
https://channellife.com.au/story/countdown-to-2024-four-ai-driven-trends-you-must-be-ready-for
Scams help drive ‘unsustainable’ increase in complaints about banks, finance firms to AFCA – 9 January 2024
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) says complaints are growing at an “unsustainable” rate and creating delays for consumers. The scheme received more than 100,000 complaints last year – the largest in its five-year history. Banks say they are investing millions in preventing scams but consumer advocates want more action.
Scammers hit Australian Toyota LandCruiser buyer, steal $100,000 – 10 January 2024
A CarExpert reader who is currently in the process of buying a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in New South Wales claims they were scammed of $100,000. The customer was the victim of an alleged cyber crime involving a phishing email that contained fake bank account details ie. business email compromise scam. The ACCC stated that between January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023, Scamwatch received 981 business email compromise scam reports which totalled losses of around $13 million.
New Whistleblower Directions and Guidelines – 9 January 2024
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (NT) has published new directions and guidelines regarding whistleblower disclosures and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. They have been prepared in accordance with sections 96 and 106 of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017.
https://www.miragenews.com/new-whistleblower-directions-and-guidelines-1152990/
The Iconic denies responsibility for data breach – 11 January 2024
The Iconic has denied responsibility for a series of data breaches that saw Aussies’ bank balances drained of thousands of dollars after their accounts with the retailer were compromised. The retailer went on to explain it was “aware” there had been fraudulent access to “a number of” its customers’ accounts but said they were “not as a result of a breach of any of The Iconic’s internal systems”. They said the breach was due to a credential stuffing attack where hackers first steal personal information from compromised websites, phishing or dark web databases. Knowing customers often use the same login details for multiple websites, the hackers then try them on platforms that may not have been the source of the initial attack.
