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FREE: The Little Black Book of Scams - Delivered @ ACCC (Published Dec 2016)

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FREE: The Little Black Book of Scams - Delivered @ ACCC (Published Dec 2016)
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tightarse on 07/01/2017 - 20:44 accc.gov.au (7142 clicks)
Last edited 07/01/2017 - 20:48

Posted seven months ago by altomic, but recently updated and republished. Available in PDF, Word, audiobook, or delivered free as a hard copy. Enjoy :)

The best way to protect yourself is through awareness and education. The Little Black Book of Scams is recognised internationally as an important tool for consumers and small businesses to learn about scams including:

  • the most common scams to watch out for
  • the different ways scammers can contact you
  • the tools scammers use to trick you
  • the warning signs
  • how to protect yourself, and
  • where you can find help.
Books & Magazines Scam

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closed Comments

    • Parentheses on 07/01/2017 - 22:03
      +47

      The ACCC is one of the most active and effective consumer watchdogs in the world. The 'toothless tiger' meme is something made up by the same people/companies who wish it was true, in an attempt to have people think it's worthless and therefore should have its funding cut.

      • t25 on 07/01/2017 - 22:06
        +3

        They may be active, but I wouldn't call them effective.

        • davidl2 on 07/01/2017 - 22:42
          +2

          mostly due to how the law system works here in Australia……

      • Magus on 24/01/2017 - 22:23

        No deal.

        There is no Centerlink chapter.

    • scrimshaw on 07/01/2017 - 22:41

      Toothless tiger, more like lazy toothless tiger.

    • malouphix on 07/01/2017 - 23:08
      +4

      Toothless tiger, crouching fraudster

    • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2017 - 23:43
      +44

      ACCC is more focused on consumer and competitions, it's not exactly an anti-fraud agency.
      They do a bloody good job at what they do… As an example, kogan was fined early last year for putting up prices before an eBay 20% off sale, and Harvey Norman was fined a bloody lot for dodgy information provided to customers around warranty and consumer rights (basically telling customers to get lost if they didn't purchase extra cover).

      As with small claims, these are redirected to state agencies that do a decent job at resolving small consumer matters.

      Overall, you (as a consumer) can shop in Australia with the confidence that what you're buying is fit for purpose and is of an expected level of quality based on the price. This means ACCC is doing their job quite well in my personal opinion.

      • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2017 - 00:46
        -1

        So they are powerless/not resourced to deal with small claims, which are fobbed off to state/territory jurisdictions to deal with inconsistently

        • karnage1020 on 08/01/2017 - 01:40
          +5

          Not sure what state you are in, but Consumer Protection (WA) has worked great for me (used them twice, both times were easy and got fast results)

        • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2017 - 04:01
          +10

          They're not there to solve small claims. They're there to pressure large companies out of unlawful or unfair trading, while encouraging competition (avoiding monopolization).

          The only place they're lacking behind is with fuel prices, though that's due to current legislation - there isn't much they can do at this stage.

      • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:16
        +1

        Maybe they should get them involved in the tax avoidance rorts by the multinational companies (I realize this is supposed to be the domain of the ATO and high court). These companies cost the Australian consumer far (far) more … in hindsight; and have done so since the dawn of time. The whole system of tax avoidance on a grand scale is often complained about but very little seems to be done. I can only assume money speaks (bribes and the best solicitors hired by these companies).

        • rekabkram on 08/01/2017 - 18:45
          +1

          While I'm not pro tax avoidance, how exactly does a company dodging tax cost the consumer more?

    • jaimex2 on 07/01/2017 - 23:58
      +2

      Tigers also have claws…

    • nedski on 08/01/2017 - 00:15
      +3

      Toothless tiger eh? So you would be happy to be locked in a cage with one?

      • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:36

        Reminds me of a recent episode of "For the love of Dogs." A little toothless dog had quite a few of the humans wary of being gummed!

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2017 - 21:05
    +61

    This sounds too good to be true.

    • cool kid on 07/01/2017 - 21:34

      lold

    • malouphix on 07/01/2017 - 23:08
      +3

      It's a trap!

  • jace88 on 07/01/2017 - 21:06
    +9

    They are more effective than some of their international equivalents.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2017 - 21:09

    Ordered one just to see how much of a joke it is. Thanks OP!

  • YellowKnight on 07/01/2017 - 21:13
    +1

    How do I get a job at ACCC?

      • YellowKnight on 07/01/2017 - 21:21
        +13

        Well I actually already work for the government. I am neither of them.

        • cool kid on 07/01/2017 - 21:33
          -6

          good for you

        • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2017 - 00:45
          +2

          Do you work for the Department of Bargains?

      • Claire Naps on 07/01/2017 - 21:39
        +4

        homophobic much?

        • StewBalls on 07/01/2017 - 22:09
          +4

          I read it as more hipsterphobic…

      • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2017 - 12:11
        -2

        Neggers might have missed the point, which hopefully was sarcasm.

  • Scrooge McDuck on 07/01/2017 - 21:18
    +1

    Is there a section by OzBargain?

  • brent3000 on 07/01/2017 - 21:22
    +13

    This is the same edition I have,

    Its called Common Sense, comes with most birth,

    • cool kid on 07/01/2017 - 21:34
      +12

      define 'most'

    • NobalaKoba on 07/01/2017 - 22:34
      +5

      If only it did… If only…..

  • Viderzo on 07/01/2017 - 21:22
    +41

    Free?? Damnit just bought it for $10 from a door to door salesman, he said it was a bargain!! :D

    • feihong on 07/01/2017 - 21:27
      +10

      So the book needs to be updated again then

    • bargainshunter on 07/01/2017 - 21:40
      -1

      I think you got scammed :p

    • ozy on 07/01/2017 - 21:41
      +29

      I have the current edition Viderzo.
      Happy to give it to you for $9.99. + FREE SHIPPING^^

      ^^Free shipping for the first page only, additional pages charged at 15 easy monthly payments of ONLY $99.95 per month and a yearly Membership fee of $69.99 for the first year, followed by our exclusive platinum discount of $69.98 from there on in until you either cancel the automatic subscription for the low cost of your first born child 👶🏼 or death occurs before 75.

      • Viderzo on 07/01/2017 - 21:46
        +5

        Sold! Wait…

  • StewBalls on 07/01/2017 - 21:35
    +3

    Just PM me, I'll send you a proper leather bound collectors copy…I'll just need you to send me a few bucks to pay the back taxes before I can release it…

    • montorola on 08/01/2017 - 00:10
      +4

      Western Union transfer ok? I'd do cash in hand but I'm working offshore from my oil rig in the middle of the Pacific Ocean y'see…

      • neil aus on 08/01/2017 - 08:46
        +1

        Actually, I'm in the same boat, offshore also, I move around a lot for work, so I'll use a courier to pick up the item. Send me your address and the courier will come to pick it up, one it's been picked up by the third party courier, my PayPal payment will be released to you. Thanks. Gumtree-buyer-offshore123

  • Quarn on 07/01/2017 - 21:38
    +24

    I am a Nigerian prince, with a Windows Virus detected by Microsoft, in need of some Viagra… and a cheap Rolex but I have some nude photos of a celebrity, do I need a copy?

    • BargainKen on 07/01/2017 - 21:48
      +2

      you need some Xanax from a Canadian pharmacy!

  • T_double_U on 07/01/2017 - 21:41
    +5

    I sent one to my grandmother..

  • BargainKen on 07/01/2017 - 21:50

    Day late and a dollar short! Coming from our government who seem hell-bent on investing in old tech, odds are its out of date much like the NBN.

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 14:08
      +2

      I ordered my hard copy at least a year ago; mother circulated it to her friends. I do agree it needs regular updating.

      Many seniors (who do not have computers) have received those phone calls about "their" computers being hacked so they must permit remote management to clear some viruses or else! No wonder many of them don't want to use computers.

    • Magus on 24/01/2017 - 22:21

      Part of their cunning protection plan.

      You can't do a bank transfer to Prince Mustafa because someone else in your house is downloading a .txt file.

  • ozone141 on 07/01/2017 - 21:52
    +7

    Hi All,

    This is the direct link to the PDF

    https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Little%20Black%20Book%2…

    Hope its helps

    • Pratty on 08/01/2017 - 01:06
      +1

      Scam!

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2017 - 22:00
    +2

    There's nothing in there about the good guys price matching scam.

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:45
      +1

      Scam? I never had a problem with them price matching an item. I have found similar (but different model numbers) items in these types of stores; perhaps that may be where you had a problem. Very few have same model numbers! When I am looking for a new item I always take a notebook and pen (note the model numbers and features too) to consider which item I want. Not an impulsive buyer; find eBay is dearer many a time in retrospect. I do prefer to buy from local stores anyway (local jobs).

      • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2017 - 18:20

        They say "We always PRICE BEAT - 30 day GUARANTEE"

        But then …

        • They don't price match their own eBay shop,
        • or their own stores when they suddenly drop the price
        • and they only price match against a handful of nominated companies.

        scam

        • Zachary on 09/01/2017 - 11:18

          Maybe there's a condition for that that you didn't/never read…?

  • 9674784 on 07/01/2017 - 22:02
    +19

    Grabbed 10, listing them on Gum Tree at $5.00 a pop.

    • Slippery Fish on 07/01/2017 - 22:25
      +1

      I got 15, im going to sneak into the local $7 a book shop, take a pic then report the "scam" to the accc. Lol

  • McFly on 07/01/2017 - 22:08
    +5

    "This is the best thing I've ever read about spams, or scams, that come through the portal!"

    Stephen Conroy

    A glowing review!

  • rgr on 07/01/2017 - 22:12
    +2

    NBN should be there

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:54

      They do need some kind of investigation.

      Although we (Cranbourne) have had NBN from the early days I know many others are increasingly topping up their plans ($s..) as not wishing to subscribe for a further 24 months. The NBN plan we currently have (Belong) so far is fine and we have not had to subscribe to any term. Recently used some of those tv catch up sites; no lagging etc. They do use some of your info for marketing though. Who gives their correct names, dob etc. anyways?!

  • yummycoot on 07/01/2017 - 22:13
    +2

    just saved it as a pdf and also ordered a hard copy for my parents who are most likely to get scammed :(

    • thushan on 07/01/2017 - 22:49
      +1

      What's their number?

      "If a publication you ordered has a cost, we will contact you for payment by Visa or MasterCard over the phone."

      • yummycoot on 08/01/2017 - 12:19
        +1

        its free, so I dont expect a call.

  • imcold on 07/01/2017 - 22:54

    I have this available on my cloud server for just one easy yearly payment of 99$. Cloud storage is the way of the future which you can have now ;)

    • malouphix on 07/01/2017 - 23:12
      +2

      There is no cloud, it's just someone else's computer.

      • JayM on 07/01/2017 - 23:42
        +6

        You've just ruined my adulthood! That's like telling a child Santa isn't real :(

        • malouphix on 08/01/2017 - 00:21
          +5

          If I didn't break it to you, your grandson would have.

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:56

      The clouds we use are free.

  • Peace Maker on 07/01/2017 - 23:06
    +1

    Why don't they just arrest that hacker 4chan?

    • malouphix on 07/01/2017 - 23:13
      +3

      He's anonymous

      • scrimshaw on 08/01/2017 - 12:55
        +1

        He is legion.

  • oodian on 07/01/2017 - 23:13
    -5

    What a waste of taxpayers money to send out free hard copies…

    • nedski on 08/01/2017 - 00:16
      +8

      Not all people who are susceptible to scams use the internet…

      • oodian on 08/01/2017 - 11:48
        -3

        Understand, but remove the option to order a hard copy on the website. It's fair enough if you do a smaller print run for people who call in to request one but if you have the means to order it online (at the library, your neighbours house, a relative's computer etc.) you should use the soft copy.

        • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:20
          +1

          I think you would find most libraries would have a copy or link a consumer to the online copy. That's part of what a library's there for, and I have found librarians are very helpful.

  • davidl2 on 07/01/2017 - 23:16
    +6

    for people who don't really need/read it, download the PDF instead, stop wasting paper……

    check out ozone141 post to download:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/4341307/redir

    • JIMB0 on 16/01/2017 - 06:44

      'The PDF file of Scams' doesn't have the same ring to it as 'The Little Black Book of Scams'.

  • CacheHunter on 07/01/2017 - 23:33

    Does anyone remember this post? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/276548
    If you click through to the product and read the reviews, this jug filters hydroxyl acid and dihydrogen monoxide out of your drinking water.

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:57

      Fluoride is a poison too. Px

  • sator on 07/01/2017 - 23:53
    +3

    You haters should stop being so negative. The ACCC does an excellent job

  • Bargaphile on 08/01/2017 - 00:08
    +2

    yawn, potatoes will potate

  • montorola on 08/01/2017 - 00:12

    I don't think the book is up to date.

    I didn't see Afailure Post and their rip-off postage costs in that book!

  • korda on 08/01/2017 - 02:00

    I like the red warning text on page 8 under the heading Threat and penalty scams:

    "If a government authority or trusted company is telling you to pay up, stop, think and double-check."

    Just wow…

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:28
      +1

      Some people DO need reminding. ACCC should offer a prize for the most number of scam emails one receives … in a day! (Have noted the innocent irony of that.) Who has the time to keep reporting these; like a full time job! I just "spammerize" the lot.

      I do report the Government and banking (inc. PayPal) ones though … I dont even trust the email link from the Tax Office to download an online tax return … I am so untrusting of Govt emails!

  • Wystri Warrick on 08/01/2017 - 02:18

    Little black book eh, I've been needing to improve my Social Life ;)

    Thanks Mr TA.

  • senz on 08/01/2017 - 04:20
    +2

    Love the never ending battle between ACCC and the Duopoly Coles and Woolworths.

  • irev1 on 08/01/2017 - 07:20

    will this always be free?

  • BobD on 08/01/2017 - 07:27
    +1

    Hmm, I wonder if I can report Centrelink to Scamwatch. Their latest hunt for supposed outstanding moneys certainly qualifies as a scam for many people and Centrelink don't seem to care.

    • try2bhelpful on 08/01/2017 - 07:39
      +3

      Completely agree. How typical of the alt-right to go after small amounts of money from people doing it tough; rather than going after rich people who are really playing the system. These people have no power or influential "friends". People living on very little can't afford the time it takes to fix up the mistakes the system makes. It is about time the Government was penalised for everytime it screws up, maybe then they will fix the mess. Whenever I look at a situations like that I think, "how would I like to be treated if it was me". Stop the rorts at the top end of town and save billions whilst not raising children in poverty. (No matter what you think of the parents, the child deserves to be raised well).

      How about we start with removing negative gearing for people with more than two properties.

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 13:29

      Dont trust Centrelink or any Govt email. Spam them and/or report

  • try2bhelpful on 08/01/2017 - 07:55
    +3

    I like to think of myself as fairly consumer savvy; however, the warnings around identity theft are a big wake up call. How often are we giving away information without really thinking about the consequences. We buy from online stores all the time so our names, addresses, and credit card details are stored on dozens of databases; including that little 3 digit code that proves authenticity. The reset "proof" that asks for your first car, overseas holiday, mother's maiden name. How many of those do we fill in without thinking how it could be used? How often do we use the same passwords on multiple sites?

    One of my ways of dealing with this is I have a domain name where I can use <[email protected]>; this allows me to track phishing, source issues, attempted access to other sites, etc based on what <specificmailname> I used. All emails for domainname.extension are funnelled to one of my yahoo email addresses. (I have multiple of these so I can filter the friends and family to a real address and several others I have as discardable if need be.) Domain names are actually pretty cheap, depending on who you go with.

    All jokes aside this sort of site can, and does, do a lot to expose the scammers by highlighting who they are and their shoddy practices. The trick is how to tell the difference between caution and paranoia

    • JediJan on 08/01/2017 - 14:17

      Ps. Who gives the true reset "proof" information though? We (most) always use a fake "identity" for that kind of information. Never give a true date of birth when asked online, by email etc.; my mother is 88 and also follows this kind of "proof" of identity. You have to be very selective who gets the "real" info.

      • try2bhelpful on 08/01/2017 - 14:57

        Good idea, but you either need to use different fake information per site, which means you need to keep a file of them, or you need to use the same fake information which lands you back with the same problem.

    • McFly on 08/01/2017 - 15:20

      I just use a different Yahoo alias for every site - no need to muck around with domain names.

      • BobD on 09/01/2017 - 07:58

        If using Yahoo then you need all the help you can get when you consider that they have been hacked multiple times. They have lost millions of peoples info to hackers. Even worse, it takes them years to find out and announce that they have been hacked.

        • Zachary on 09/01/2017 - 11:20

          …source?

  • protocolture on 08/01/2017 - 08:40

    Book is a scam, does not actually give you any guidance on how to run a scam. Report them to the Accc.

    • CacheHunter on 08/01/2017 - 11:03

      I got lots of great scam ideas by reading this book.

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