Disaster Recovery
What to do immediately
Stay calm and damage control.
Don’t go looking for the stolen device yourself.
Change all of your passwords — not just the ones you think the thieves got away with.
Wipe your data remotely.
Google “your XYZ country cybersecurity department.”
Google “Your suburb name” council hotline to contact your Mayor for assistance
Engage a cybersecurity company, but first, google online for business review.
Tell the people affected: the Police, your bank, companies involved and your loved ones.
Police
Bring your devices to the police station, report loss of money, what data was deleted, and other cybercrimes (keep a copy of the Police report for the rest of your life).
Tell the Police if any of your loved ones or your personal identification documents have been stolen.
Bank
When you contact the bank and described your situation, ask them to close your bank account, reverse the credit card charge and/or stop the cheque.
Current Affairs News Company
Contact Current Affairs about your predicament and share your story. You may get a small reimbursement for your time.
Scams
How to protect yourself against future incidents
Know who you are dealing with
If you’ve only ever met someone online, or are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, take some time to do a bit more research. Do a Google image search on photos or search the internet for others who may have had dealings with them.
Social Engineering
Be alert to the fact that scams exist. When dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether over the phone, by mail, email, in person, or on a social networking site, always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Keep a log of every call you make, when you made it and with whom you spoke and what occurred on the call.
Report scam call phone numbers to the Australia, Victoria Police non-emergency hotline 131 444
What resources can you learn more about the latest local scams?
Watch the current affairs news segment.
Visit website that watches scams (google it)
Subscribe to scam watch newsletters to get the latest scam that is going around details.
Talk to people and your family and friends.
Related articles
How to protect yourself when you visit “sensitive” websites
How to secure passwords in 24 ways
How to enhance your email security?
How to protect your loved ones against cybercrimes?
How do you know you are hacked?
How do you secure your computer physically?
Learn examples of Cyber Scams so you can protect yourself
Helplines
Australia Police Emergency at 000
Victoria Police Non-Emergency at 131 444
Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000
Sources and other helpful resources
1800 123 400 or if you are overseas: +61 1300 1234 01
Mail: Department of Home Affairs, PO Box 25, Belconnen ACT 2616, Email: hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au
Victoria Police Online Reporting
Theft, Lost Property, Property Damage, Register your Party, Register your Absence from Residence
Australia Cybersecurity Centre
Agency Cybercrime Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN)
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Call the ACMA Customer Service Centre on 1300 850 115
Join the local Neighbourhood Watch Facebook/newsletters to learn about personal safety, home security, and local crime trends.
Contact IDCARE — a free, government-funded service that provides support to victims of identity crime. IDCARE can help you to develop a response plan to take the appropriate steps for repairing damage to your reputation, credit history, and identity. Visit the IDCARE website or call 1300 432 273.
Apply for a Commonwealth Victims’ Certificate — a certificate helps support your claim that you’ve been the victim of identity crime and can be used to help re-establish your credentials with government or financial institutions. Visit the Attorney-General’s Department (or call 02 6141 6666) to learn more about protecting and recovering your identity.
Contact a counseling or support service.
If you or someone you know has been scammed and may be suffering from emotional stress or depression, please talk to your GP, local health professional, or someone you trust. You may also consider contacting counseling or support services, such as Lifeline — when you need support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 1114 (24/7)
Beyondblue — for information about depression or anxiety, contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Kids helpline — telephone and online counseling and support service for young people aged between five and 25 years. Contact Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Financial Counselling Australia — if you are in financial distress, call 1800 007 007 to talk to a free financial counselor.
Apps
Google “Australia Snap Send Solve” app to report local neighbourhood issues.
Where to report a scam
You can help others by reporting fraud to the appropriate authorities. Your information will help these organizations build a better picture of the latest scams and warn other people about what to look out for.
The following organizations take reports about particular types of scams.
The Little Black Book of Scams is available free online.
Protect yourself — sign up to Scamwatch — where you can sign up for free email alerts on new scams targeting consumers and small businesses. You can also follow Scamwatch on Twitter at @scamwatch_gov
How Scam savvy are you? >Take the quiz.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or call the ASIC infoline on 1300 300 630
For Tax-related scams, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) — to report a tax scam or verify whether a person contacting you from the ATO is legitimate: • call 1800 008 540 or forward your email tax scam to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au.
Consumer Protection Agencies
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides information to business, consumers, landlords, and tenants about their rights and responsibilities at 1300 558 181
Dispute Settlement center DSCV can help you resolve all sorts of disputes, including common neighborhood disputes involving fences, trees, animals, noise and drainage, difficult or anti-social behavior, workplace disputes, disputes within committees, clubs or Incorporated Associations, matters referred to mediation by a magistrate
Australian Capital Territory Office of Regulatory Services at 13 2281
New South Wales Fair Trading at 13 3220
Northern Territory Consumer Affairs at 1800 019 319
Queensland Office of Fair Trading at 13 7468
South Australia Consumer and Business Services at 13 1882
Tasmania Consumer, Building and Occupational Services at 1300 654 499
Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety at 1300 304 054
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