Scams, whose fault?

[farmerge]

Sounds like they could afford it.
It is weird that the lenders had no problems lending money at 8% to house buyers, when the banks obviously were lending at lower rates.
It's sad when any group rip off their own.

Mr sp I would have to say if I was offered a loan at 8% and the banks were somewhat lower, then oh well, a mug and their money.

 

[sptrawler]

Mr sp I would have to sy if I was offered a loan at 8% and the banks were somewhat lower, then oh well, a mug and their money.

Or a mug with too much money, that someone wanted to relive them of, there is a lot of that going on ATM, on many fronts, emmotional. Political and social.
When times get tough, only those with a long term plan survive.

 

[farmerge]

Or a mug with too much money, that someone wanted to relive them of.

so it would appear there is no shortage of mugs/losers. She and me hang onto it with a vice-like grip. Farm machinery being the exception of course.

 

[macca]

Mr sp I would have to say if I was offered a loan at 8% and the banks were somewhat lower, then oh well, a mug and their money.

Back a few decades before no doc and low doc loans, people who had a "battling business" while driving a new car every year had difficulty getting a home loan.

Other Funny money went to the solicitor then the battler would borrow and pay a slightly higher interest than banks

It was funny money looking for a return that was borrowed by people who also had some funny money but needed a mortgage.

Once a bit of equity was gained they could then approach a bank and get a standard mortgage

 

[farmerge]

Back a few decades before no doc and low doc loans, people who had a "battling business" while driving a new car every year had difficulty getting a home loan.

Other Funny money went to the solicitor then the battler would borrow and pay a slightly higher interest than banks

It was funny money looking for a return that was borrowed by people who also had some funny money but needed a mortgage.

Once a bit of equity was gained they could then approach a bank and get a standard morth

Back a few decades before no doc and low doc loans, people who had a "battling business" while driving a new car every year had difficulty getting a home loan.

Other Funny money went to the solicitor then the battler would borrow and pay a slightly higher interest than banks

It was funny money looking for a return that was borrowed by people who also had some funny money but needed a mortgage.

Once a bit of equity was gained they could then approach a bank and get a standard mortgage

@maca Having never dealt in or with "funny" money I do understand the logic that you have posted here.

 

[basilio]

Or a mug with too much money, that someone wanted to relive them of, there is a lot of that going on ATM, on many fronts, emotional. Political and social.
When times get tough, only those with a long term plan survive.

I can remember a particular scam that was used to devastating effect in the 80's. Almost certainly still in operation today.

Collins Credit Corporation offered farmers and others relatively cheap loans they said were financed through Swiss banks. Of course there were upfront fees to pay. Unfortunately the loans never materialized . Delay after delay after delay.

Naturally the desperate farmers ended up broke and was in no position to chase the lost advance fees.

 

[basilio]

Everyone sees them everywhere on the net. The pics of Kochie, Wilkins, Andrew Forest being used as hook to get people into a conversation about a scam.

Everyone knows these are scams. Why are they still running? When does Facebook and others become responsible for the material they publish ?

Inside the world of fake ad scams stealing the identities of Kochie and celebrities like him around the world​

By Casey Briggs
Posted 2h ago2 hours ago

A scam Facebook ad featuring a photoshopped image of TV presenter David Koch.( ABC News: Xanthe Gregory )
Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article

Link copied
"Is this the end of his career?"

"He didn't know the camera was rolling."

"The scandal that shocked everyone."

The words emblazoned across the ads are dramatic, and they're usually accompanied by an attention-grabbing picture: a photoshopped or AI-generated image of an Australian celebrity.

Perhaps they're being dragged away in handcuffs for revealing something they shouldn't have. Sometimes they'll have accidentally revealed it on live television. Often the ad is presented as a screenshot from a news program, or a splash on a news website.

But it's never real and it has nothing to do with the celebrities pictured: it's always a scam designed to trick you out of your money.
These ads have become a constant presence both on social media, including Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), but also across news and entertainment websites and beyond.

Nine Network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins is one of the famous faces regularly co-opted by scammers.

Inside the world of fake ad scams stealing the identities of Kochie and celebrities like him around the world

The words emblazoned across the ads are dramatic, and they're usually accompanied by a photoshopped or AI-generated image of an Australian celebrity being arrested. It's an attempt to take your money.

www.abc.net.au

 

[basilio]

Another exceptionally clever scam. The guys are getting much better. Perhaps another ploy to be aware of.
Personal finance

I listed boots for sale online and was scammed out of $1,000. It could happen to you​

Lindy Ralph

I thought I was tech-savvy enough not to click on links I shouldn’t. But in the end I was too trusting

They’ve taken all my money,” I screamed to my partner, panic rising. After working from home all day, I randomly went to my phone to check my bank balance. . I couldn’t log in but my bank app shows the balances without logging in. My partner came out to see what was going on. “They’ve taken everything.”

I feel like such an idiot. So ashamed. How did the scammers scam me, a 55-year-old, tech-savvy, educated and well-travelled Australian woman? It’s because the scammers are very, very good at what they do and manipulate you in ways you wouldn’t imagine.

I listed boots for sale online and was scammed out of $1,000. It could happen to you | Lindy Ralph

I thought I was tech-savvy enough not to click on links I shouldn’t. But in the end I was too trusting

www.theguardian.com

 

[sptrawler]

Another person being scammed, or another person not being able to say NO, to themselves?

Disability pensioner charged $6,760 for renting a phone that retails for around $1,800

Centrepay is an online tool designed to help people on Centrelink pay for essentials like rent or bills through automatic deductions. But financial counsellors say the government service is instead being misused by some providers to exploit vulnerable Australians.

www.abc.net.au

When Janene Thacker was sent an e-contract in exchange for a new household item, she said the cost would often go "straight over" her head.

"You're not initially thinking about what you're going to be paying," she told 7.30.

With limited savings, the disability pensioner used appliance rental stores for decades, unable to purchase goods outright.

In February 2021, it was a lounge for $4,056. In September, it was a tablet for her mum for $1,586, and in November, it was a fridge, for $6,240.
Filling her home with furniture and appliances made Ms Thacker feel like everyone else.

"I felt I was up there for a little while, you know what I mean?" she said.

Last year, another rental appliance business, Rent4Keeps, signed Ms Thacker up for a Samsung S21 phone. The mobile retailed for about $1,800 but she was on the hook for $6,760.

"They may be brand new products, but you're paying four times the money for them, so how do these companies get away with that?" Ms Thacker asked.

The businesses would take fortnightly payments out of Ms Thacker's Centrelink benefits through a government-administered service, Centrepay.

The online tool is an automatic bill-paying service linked to a client's Centrelink account.

An approved provider directly arranges contracts with Centrepay's 600,000 monthly users, taking repayments before the money hits their bank account.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Another person being scammed, or another person not being able to say NO, to themselves?

Disability pensioner charged $6,760 for renting a phone that retails for around $1,800

Centrepay is an online tool designed to help people on Centrelink pay for essentials like rent or bills through automatic deductions. But financial counsellors say the government service is instead being misused by some providers to exploit vulnerable Australians.

www.abc.net.au

When Janene Thacker was sent an e-contract in exchange for a new household item, she said the cost would often go "straight over" her head.

"You're not initially thinking about what you're going to be paying," she told 7.30.

With limited savings, the disability pensioner used appliance rental stores for decades, unable to purchase goods outright.

In February 2021, it was a lounge for $4,056. In September, it was a tablet for her mum for $1,586, and in November, it was a fridge, for $6,240.
Filling her home with furniture and appliances made Ms Thacker feel like everyone else.

"I felt I was up there for a little while, you know what I mean?" she said.

Last year, another rental appliance business, Rent4Keeps, signed Ms Thacker up for a Samsung S21 phone. The mobile retailed for about $1,800 but she was on the hook for $6,760.

"They may be brand new products, but you're paying four times the money for them, so how do these companies get away with that?" Ms Thacker asked.

The businesses would take fortnightly payments out of Ms Thacker's Centrelink benefits through a government-administered service, Centrepay.

The online tool is an automatic bill-paying service linked to a client's Centrelink account.

An approved provider directly arranges contracts with Centrepay's 600,000 monthly users, taking repayments before the money hits their bank account.

Thanks @sptrawler

Financial Literacy classes in school might prevent future Mrs Thackers from over-extending themselves

Having said that, many people have an unrealistic sense of distance from their poor decisions in that they blindly pursue actions assuming that there is a god or a government department out there that will protect them. Unfortunately there is no such god or department.

Last year, another rental appliance business, Rent4Keeps, signed Ms Thacker up for a Samsung S21 phone. The mobile retailed for about $1,800 but she was on the hook for $6,760.

"They may be brand new products, but you're paying four times the money for them, so how do these companies get away with that?" Ms Thacker asked.

The answer to Mrs Thacker is twofold
1. She unfortunately put her signature to a debt document without realising and understanding the consequences.
2. There are people and companies out there who make money out of the ignorance of people such as Mrs. Thacker.

Thus they get away with it.

I cannot judge Mrs. Thacker as I am a kind person and know nothing about her other than this cameo of her life. I guess it is a warning of sorts from the ABC. I do find it rather unlikely that such as Mrs Thacker sliding through a Harvey Norman's in all anxiousness desperate to purchase one of Gerry's reasonably or unreasonably priced pieces of modernity would in fact read, listen to or watch the ABC. So their target base is askew being from the ABC and perhaps if such as Sunrise or Hadley were to publicise her, it might have more practical effect.

gg

 

[sptrawler]

Thanks @sptrawler

Financial Literacy classes in school might prevent future Mrs Thackers from over-extending themselves

NO it would make no difference, from my life's experience, that is going from my parents, to my friends and my workmates.
Very few have the self discipline, to control their fiscal futures.

Having said that, many people have an unrealistic sense of distance from their poor decisions in that they blindly pursue actions assuming that there is a god or a government department out there that will protect them. Unfortunately there is no such god or department.

The difference is in years gone by, people ended up impoverished for their poor decisions, now the issue is not poor decisions but someone not informing them of their poor decisions.
Responsibility has been taken off the individual and accepted by the Government on most issues, which is great if you want a completely dependent society, maybe that is the end game. Who knows?
Maybe we are just a test bed for western societies, when there is no productive work for people to do anymore, so you need a population of compliant people who can just sit and play computer games all day and don't aspire to anything more.
Who knows, but we certainly aren't climbing the ladder of aspiration are we? Nothing points toward a Country that is on the rise technologically, educationally, industrially we only seem to be focused on social issues, that is what is front and centre in Australia.
Which is a nice warm feel good, smug, I'm o.k and I want people to do what they want to do be what they want be hey, hippy ethos.
But FFS sake don't shoot the messenger, who says that it isn't leading to a better life for the grandkids.

 

[farmerge]

I've been getting more than the usual number of scam calls on the i-phone lately. In a moment of weakness i answered one. When I questioned the person on the other end about which side of the bed sheets he was conceived on he hung up. Now how rude was that. I was just asking a simple question . I hope that annoyed him more than the nuisance scam calls are to me.

 

[farmerge]

Another person being scammed, or another person not being able to say NO, to themselves?

Disability pensioner charged $6,760 for renting a phone that retails for around $1,800

Centrepay is an online tool designed to help people on Centrelink pay for essentials like rent or bills through automatic deductions. But financial counsellors say the government service is instead being misused by some providers to exploit vulnerable Australians.

www.abc.net.au

When Janene Thacker was sent an e-contract in exchange for a new household item, she said the cost would often go "straight over" her head.

"You're not initially thinking about what you're going to be paying," she told 7.30.

With limited savings, the disability pensioner used appliance rental stores for decades, unable to purchase goods outright.

In February 2021, it was a lounge for $4,056. In September, it was a tablet for her mum for $1,586, and in November, it was a fridge, for $6,240.
Filling her home with furniture and appliances made Ms Thacker feel like everyone else.

"I felt I was up there for a little while, you know what I mean?" she said.

Last year, another rental appliance business, Rent4Keeps, signed Ms Thacker up for a Samsung S21 phone. The mobile retailed for about $1,800 but she was on the hook for $6,760.

"They may be brand new products, but you're paying four times the money for them, so how do these companies get away with that?" Ms Thacker asked.

The businesses would take fortnightly payments out of Ms Thacker's Centrelink benefits through a government-administered service, Centrepay.

The online tool is an automatic bill-paying service linked to a client's Centrelink account.

An approved provider directly arranges contracts with Centrepay's 600,000 monthly users, taking repayments before the money hits their bank account.

Unbelieveable that that this woman can rake up this sort of debt just to feel good.
Is she short of a couple cents in the thinking department !!!
I and She came up in an era where we paid for what we wanted in full No time payments or HP.
Still works this way all these years later.
If you can't afford it or haven't got the money then go without.
The world will not come crashing down on you because you haven't got the greatst or latest of whatever.

 

[basilio]

Danger !!! Danger !!! Danger !!

Maybe a bit over the top.. ? I suggest absolutely not.
This new piece of malware for your phone is elite. A very dangerous tool to end up on your phone. Could very well clean up your bank and share portfolios

The malware is powerful — it can record your calls, harvest your contacts, evade antivirus, bypass multi-factor authentication, log what you type and send you text messages.

It can also perform what's known as overlay attacks, which is what happens when hackers superimpose a fake login page over an authentic app, like the ones above, to trick you into giving up your credentials.

Exclusive new data obtained by the ABC has uncovered what appears to be the first major distribution campaign of the malware, with Australians identified as specific targets.

How cybercriminals are using bogus login pages to steal your banking information​

The story of how 'Octo' malware's tentacles are reaching phone screens across Australia

Fake Australian banking apps that look like the genuine article are appearing on the internet. Test your knowledge and see if you can tell the real from the fake.

www.abc.net.au

(I don't know what is happening with my computer)

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Danger !!! Danger !!! Danger !!

Maybe a bit over the top.. ? I suggest absolutely not.
This new piece of malware for your phone is elite. A very dangerous tool to end up on your phone. Could very well clean up your bank and share portfolios

The malware is powerful — it can record your calls, harvest your contacts, evade antivirus, bypass multi-factor authentication, log what you type and send you text messages.

It can also perform what's known as overlay attacks, which is what happens when hackers superimpose a fake login page over an authentic app, like the ones above, to trick you into giving up your credentials.

Exclusive new data obtained by the ABC has uncovered what appears to be the first major distribution campaign of the malware, with Australians identified as specific targets.

How cybercriminals are using bogus login pages to steal your banking information​

The story of how 'Octo' malware's tentacles are reaching phone screens across Australia

Fake Australian banking apps that look like the genuine article are appearing on the internet. Test your knowledge and see if you can tell the real from the fake.

www.abc.net.au

(I don't know what is happening with my computer)

Thanks @basilio. I did a search and found a clearer description of Octo's mode of action and some protection members with android phones might use. It is an Android Phone Malware.

Interestingly this article is from August 2022, so it is not new, except to the ABC, and me and other members of ASF who are not tech savvy. Perhaps it has changed it's virulence. I found the ABC article to be of poor quality. Too much fluff in the QA and causing confusion re Apple/Android.

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/octo-android-malware-can-take-over-your-phone-how-to-protect-yourself.

Once again thanks for alerting me to Octo.

gg

 

[farmerge]

Danger !!! Danger !!! Danger !!

Maybe a bit over the top.. ? I suggest absolutely not.
This new piece of malware for your phone is elite. A very dangerous tool to end up on your phone. Could very well clean up your bank and share portfolios

The malware is powerful — it can record your calls, harvest your contacts, evade antivirus, bypass multi-factor authentication, log what you type and send you text messages.

It can also perform what's known as overlay attacks, which is what happens when hackers superimpose a fake login page over an authentic app, like the ones above, to trick you into giving up your credentials.

Exclusive new data obtained by the ABC has uncovered what appears to be the first major distribution campaign of the malware, with Australians identified as specific targets.

How cybercriminals are using bogus login pages to steal your banking information​

The story of how 'Octo' malware's tentacles are reaching phone screens across Australia

Fake Australian banking apps that look like the genuine article are appearing on the internet. Test your knowledge and see if you can tell the real from the fake.

www.abc.net.au

(I don't know what is happening with my computer)

Not being very computer ;iterate or i-phone savy, I only answer ph calls that have a name attached to them, so I do know who is trying to contact me. With the computer unless the e-mail address is also known then it is usually replied to otherwise into that thar bin it goes.

 

[SirRumpole]

Not being very computer ;iterate or i-phone savy, I only answer ph calls that have a name attached to them, so I do know who is trying to contact me. With the computer unless the e-mail address is also known then it is usually replied to otherwise into that thar bin it goes.

The danger seems to be using phone banking apps on Android phones.

The user is presented with a login page that looks like the genuine bank one. Once the victim types in their account number and password the crims have access to their bank accounts.

Very nasty.

 

[Belli]

The danger seems to be using phone banking apps on Android phones.

The user is presented with a login page that looks like the genuine bank one. Once the victim types in their account number and password the crims have access to their bank accounts.

Very nasty.

As technology progresses there is the potential for things to get even uglier. I presently use debit cards for a lot of transactions. They are not in digital wallets and I don't use my phone for anything financial expect to receive 2FA. However, I think eventually those cards will go the way of cheques and indications are that is already occurring. So once that occurs there is a high probability of an increase in fraud attempts.

I don't know what form it will take or what electronic device we will be using for transactions or when but my in my opinion both events will eventually happen.

 

[farmerge]

As technology progresses there is the potential for things to get even uglier. I presently use debit cards for a lot of transactions. They are not in digital wallets and I don't use my phone for anything financial expect to receive 2FA. However, I think eventually those cards will go the way of cheques and indications are that is already occurring. So once that occurs there is a high probability of an increase in fraud attempts.

I don't know what form it will take or what electronic device we will be using for transactions or when but my in my opinion both events will eventually happen.

I'm with you Belfi My phone is just that a phone not used for any sort of transactions, very handy camera though.

 

[basilio]

Thanks @basilio. I did a search and found a clearer description of Octo's mode of action and some protection members with android phones might use. It is an Android Phone Malware.

Interestingly this article is from August 2022, so it is not new, except to the ABC, and me and other members of ASF who are not tech savvy. Perhaps it has changed it's virulence. I found the ABC article to be of poor quality. Too much fluff in the QA and causing confusion re Apple/Android.

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/octo-android-malware-can-take-over-your-phone-how-to-protect-yourself.

Once again thanks for alerting me to Octo.

gg

Yep. Far more detailed description of the capacities of this malware at Tom's.

I suspect the reason for the ABC article is that someone who has invested in this malware is now starting to attack Australian banks. In that context it is being well exploited and far more dangerous than perhaps it was without the new actors in play.