100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

'Important to be vigilant': new warning as scammers target Coast residents

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Flood rescue and lightning strike after night of heavy rain

A person has been rescued from floodwaters and another was struck by lightning after wild weather hit the Sunshine Coast. ANZAC Day commemorations went ahead More

Lest we forget: Coast pauses to remember on wet ANZAC Day

Across the Sunshine Coast this morning community members have gathered to pay heartfelt tribute to past and present servicemen and women as part of More

Never forgotten: veteran’s mission to keep ANZAC spirit alive

Every year on April 25, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who have given their lives, fought on the frontline, served in the Armed More

ANZAC Day: where you can attend services on the Coast

This Friday the country will stop to remember the sacrifice and bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and servicewomen, past and present. April 25 More

Easter feast: python devours possum at busy beach

A slithery creature has enjoyed quite the Easter feast while stunning visitors at a popular beach over the recent long weekend. Passers-by were stopped in More

‘Ongoing challenge’: group works towards reliable harbour access

The state's waterways authority says it is doing what it can to address persistent shoaling at the entrance to the Sunshine Coast's main harbour. Maritime More

Sunshine Coast residents are being warned to beware of scammers, with the latest wave of scams requesting victims purchase thousands of dollars of gift cards.

Local police have received multiple reports of a scam that involves elderly members of the community being asked for assistance to ‘scam the scammer’.

Victims are reporting that a scammer, pretending to be someone from the fraud or security team of well-known banks or telcos, rings to alert the victim of suspicious activity in their bank account.

The scammer then requests the victim to purchase gift cards and provide the details of those gift cards to the security team to help with a ‘sting’ on the scammer.

The victim is then promised that the institution will reimburse them for the purchase of the cards at the end of the day.

An example of this incident occurred on June 21, when a 66-year-old man, on behalf of a 91-year-old man, purchased $28,000 of gift cards from a shop in Kawana in one day.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said police were working to educate Sunshine Coast businesses that sell gift cards about these types of scams.

He said officers were also warning anyone in the Sunshine Coast community that may receive a similar phone call.

“Scams are ever-changing and though this exact scenario may not be repeated, it’s important to be vigilant when engaging with people on the phone or online,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.

“Being asked to purchase gift cards or transfer or withdraw money is a red flag.

“If in doubt, don’t engage, speak to your bank or telco directly, and report the potential scam.

“Please also look out for your older parents, neighbours or friends and encourage them to be wary.”

Police will continue to investigate alongside other government agencies.

Members of the public can report a scam via ASD ACSC’s (Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre) ReportCyber, the National Anti-Scam Centre or make an official complaint to your local police station.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form.

Crime can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers or call 1800 333 000.

Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share