Spam is an unsolicited (or junk) email. Spam emails usually offer free goods or ‘prizes’, very cheap products (including pharmaceuticals), promises of wealth or other offers that could result in you taking part in a scam. You might be asked to pay a joining fee, to buy something to 'win' a prize or some other benefit, or to call a 190 telephone or fax number (calls made to these numbers are charged at premium rates). Spam emails can basically offer you anything and everything—from fake college degrees to pirated software and counterfeit designer watches—so it pays to be suspicious and delete unsolicited emails.
Spam emails differ from regular printed junk mail in one major way—responding to a scam email can cause you many problems. You may find that malicious software like spyware or key-loggers has been downloaded onto your computer. Your credit card or other personal details may be stolen. You may send away money for something that never arrives or is not what you thought it would be.
If you are interested in an offer, use a search engine to locate the firm’s website address. Be sure that you know what the offer is actually for, what the total cost will be and what to do if something goes wrong (e.g. the product is not delivered or does not work).
Seek independent advice from an accountant or solicitor if a significant amount of money is involved. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account details to ANYBODY you are not completely sure about.
If you receive a spam offer, the best thing to do is delete the email. Do NOT respond. Do not email back, do not call any telephone number listed in the email and do not send any money, credit card details or other personal details to the scammers. Responding only indicates you're interested and you could end up with lots more fake offers in the future.
If you are interested in what the spam email is offering, it is still best not to follow any link contained in the email. Internet links do not always lead where their name says they do. Sometimes, clicking on a link will download a program to your computer. Make sure you have done your homework before doing anything to take up an offer from a spam email.
If you have received a spam offer that you think may be a scam, you can report a scam through the SCAMwatch website. You should also tell your friends and family about the scam.
Anti-spam legislation (the Spam Act 2003) targets Australian-originated spam and the techniques that spammers use to send Australian consumers unsolicited emails. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) monitors compliance with the legislation in Australia. If you would like to report or complain about spam, or obtain more information on spam laws, spam reduction, and internet security visit www.spam.acma.gov.au.
You can also download ACMA’s ‘SpamMATTERS’ button for Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. When you press the SpamMATTERS button, the spam email is forwarded to ACMA and deleted from your system. Installing SpamMATTERS will not stop the spam reaching you, but it can help ACMA to trace where the spam is coming from.
Online auctions can be rigged by scammers or used to target you for a scam outside of the auction site. You could end up with a dud product or nothing at all for your money.
Modem-jacking scams secretly change the phone number dial-up modems use to access the internet to an overseas or premium rate phone number. You could pay hundreds of dollars extra.
Spyware is a type of software that spies on what you do on your computer. Key-loggers record what keys you press on your keyboard. Scammers can use them to steal your online banking passwords or other personal information.