Community
18 February, 2025
Shire sessions to combat scams
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has encouraged senior members of the community to attend upcoming free sessions to learn more about avoiding scams.
New data has revealed Victorian seniors lost more than $27 million to scams in 2024, with the Federal Government’s ScamWatch website showing people aged 55 and over reported more than 22,000 scams – most of which occurred online.
Upcoming sessions, to be hosted in Camperdown, will help guide attendees through the more common instances of scams including investment, unexpected prizes, romance, inheritances and promises of rebates – all of which are used to trick people out of money or to steal their identity.
Corangamite Shire Council urged older residents to come to the Killara Centre from this month to learn how to stay safe online, where GBM Technology’s Alan Best and Alex Walder will give expert advice at five free sessions.
The ‘Being Safe Online’ sessions and will cover issues around emails and cyber security as a starting point.
“This is an opportunity for people to come along and have their burning IT questions answered,” Mr Walder said.
“Bills are moving away from paper so you have to be online to do something crucial every day.
“People rely on Internet banking. You can go to a fake website and put in your details.
“That's pretty common.
“There was a period where once a week we’d have someone in who had lost money, was losing money or had someone on their computer.”
Mr Walder said the sessions would cover:
How to tell is an email is real;
Checking website links;
Screening emails and text messages; and
Knowing what to do if you’re getting targeted.
All sessions will be free to attend, with tea and coffee provided.
To book a place call Corangamite Shire’s Positive Ageing and Inclusion Team on 5593 7100.
The event sessions will be hosted from 10-11.30am on Thursday, February 13, Thursday, March 13, Wednesday, April 16, Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, June 18 at the Killara Centre, 210-212 Manifold Street, Camperdown.
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