This includes a list of companies, agencies, and organisations that have listed the latest scams using their names and/or brands. a) Have an eligible transaction account with a linked debit card, handycard or credit card. If you call the number in this message, you will not be speaking with Westpac. One common type of fraud connected to BEC is invoice. com. 08:00am November 24 2023. Forward (then delete) suspicious emails to phish@nab. Latest scams. (Thomas Evans) SHARE. 12 Apr, 2023 05:18 PM 3 mins to read. Netsafe and Spectrum Care have written this plain language romance scams guide. Talk to us . Westpac advised its customers to be aware of the scam and urged them not to call the phone number provided. What is WestPac? WestPac are a worldwide financial trading platform and broker. Jackson St. Here are a few tips to keep you one. 15bn, an increase of 9% from the previous year. com. You may lodge a dispute via Internet or Mobile Banking, over the phone or in a Branch. Caller ID Spoofing. phone_iphone MOBILE What we like in check_circle We have found links to social networks on the page. There’s a lot of information on each page, and there are so many pages that the app doesn’t use a simple menu across the bottom of the screen. Irvine, CA 92618. Westpac will never ask you to download software or allow remote access to your computer or device. Westpac takes the protection of its customer information and confidential information very seriously. If your card is lost or stolen, you can let us know at any time, from anywhere in the world. Slickly. This is a non-unique identifier which scammers try to pass off as something only a legitimate support person would know. nz Talk to us Need further help? Call 0800 400 600 Report to. We’re also further improving how we do things to reduce the risk of banking errors happening. Cards, 8am-8pm Sydney Time, 7 days. "With 96 percent of transactions occurring either over the phone or digitally, that is our primary channel. Many Australians have been the victim of credit card scams and online fraud. Ben Young, head of fraud at Westpac, said this type of scam has escalated since early 2023. We rated westpac. In a bid to combat these scams, Westpac has worked with Optus to become the first private Australian business to block calls from scammers impersonating the bank. He shared a post warning others. To try and combat this type of scam, Westpac is working with Optus to place more than 94,000 Westpac phone numbers on a “Do Not Originate” list in an. Westpac (Bank): 1. Australians lost more than $2 billion in scams last year. Telstra will never call and ask you. That's why they've locked your internet banking, to prevent unauthorised access by a third party. Some of the calls appear to come from an official Westpac phone number, however the calls are not from Westpac. You can also report all suspicious activity to the Australian Cyber Security. Find out more. encourage people to talk to their friends and family, particularly vulnerable people they know, about the dangers of scams," Mr Locke added. Calls asking you to provide the security ‘one-time-code’ that you received via SMS. Though it is the scammer’s skill that gets the customer to read this back without looking. SCAM ALERT: Our fraud team are warning of a widespread phone scam - we've had over 47 complaints in one region this week. Australians lost a staggering $45 million to these types of scams over the past three years, according to ACCC Scamwatch. To combat these scams, Westpac has worked with. 18 EST. If you don’t recognise the transaction and believe you are a victim of fraud, you must call the Westpac fraud line on 1300 364 294. Business email compromise scams. If you paid a scammer by wiring money through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, call the company immediately to report the fraud and file a complaint. (A Current Affair) READ MORE: Painkiller debate sparked after TGA considers paracetamol sale restrictions So Sauermann called Westpac. Westpac has admitted it broke the law and agreed to pay penalties totalling $113m after the corporate regulator hit the bank with six lawsuits over. This was mostly driven by remote access scams (20%), investment scams (12%) and buying and selling scams (10%). The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC): Protect yourself against cybercrime. Within half an hour he got a phone call from overseas from a man saying he wanted to do business, and it would only cost him $250. The SMS advises a request for a new payee has been made on your account, and if it. September 1, 2014 ·. 52pm SaveWestpac issued an urgent warning to customers that they could be targeted by phishing scams via phone or text messages 'We ask that you also be vigilant with any messages received via text or. While crooks use many scenarios, here are 10 common phone scams currently. General enquiries 132 142. Australians lost a staggering $45 million to these types of scams over the past three years, according to ACCC Scamwatch. How to register for a Security Device? Westpac Protect™ SMS Code. From Westpac today. More than 94,000 Westpac phone numbers have now been added to a ‘Do Not Originate’ list, which will prevent scammers from impersonating Westpac numbers,. They will attempt. My account has been blocked few times by Westpac due to suspected scam. Scams – hear the alarm bells. Over 15 years later WestPac now serves over 10,000 retail investors Forex trading, CFD trading, Spread Betting trading, Social trading, and Share Dealing trading. au. Contacting us from within the app lets you skip the automated questions and get through to exactly who you’re after, faster. The caller asks you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons. SA and WA. Currently, Westpac’s scam and fraud teams detect over 60% of attempted scams. If you’ve recently received a suspicious text message from ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’ urgently requesting money, you aren’t alone. Someone else knows, or may know, your passcode or knows how to unlock your Android device, or your Westpac card PIN. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Westpac urged its customers to be aware of text scams that are circulating, which claim customers’ Westpac Protect SMS Code mobile number has been changed. Watch on Do you have concerns about recent contact? Did someone contact you with a request or offer that was unusual, unsolicited or out of the blue? Did you receive an email or text message asking you to click on a. Please note that calls made from mobile phones, public telephones or hotel rooms may attract additional charges. Contact Information. Westpac is launching new digital-payment security features to help combat scam losses for its customers. Westpac NZ. SCAM ALERT! We want to remind all of our valued customers to stay on the lookout for scams. The technology was launched after last year’s system trial. Note the sophistication regarding spoofing the callerIDs. The bank. Westpac advises customers to be aware of the scam and to not call the phone number provided. Finder research shows that Australians lost $1. If you have a query about an offer that you’ve received, please email socialmediasupport@jbhifi. The most common complaints (excluding scams) were about retail, the building/maintenance sectors, and those with insufficient information to identify the caller or message sender. Westpac has released an audio recording of a scammer pretending to be a member of the bank’s fraud team to demonstrate the red flags people need to be looking out for as scam calls in Australia spike. Almost half of Westpac NZ customers say they are finding it harder to identify scams, as criminals adopt increasingly sophisticated approaches to swindle their victims. Tamara Giglio contact details: Email address: t* @westpac. To report a scam or to seek assistance, customers can call 132-032 or via the Westpac app. Never provide personal or banking information during an unsolicited call. But he says there is a little-known payment. 3/11/2023 7:18 AM. One minute James Green thought he was nipping a fraud attempt in the bud by chatting to a Westpac number, but. Automated Phone Scam? As a Westpac customer I am alarmed at having received three automated phone calls to our personal home number with an electronic voice purporting to be from the Westpac and. He cited a reference number and used other basic verification methods to give the con an air of validity. 988 billion with $1. Consequently, Westpac aims to tackle this issue head-on by implementing effective. Westpac (Bank): 1. If you would like more information on current scams or would like to report a scam, please contact SCAM watch via their. More than 94,000 Westpac phone numbers have now been added to a ‘Do Not Originate’ list, which will prevent scammers from impersonating Westpac numbers, the bank said. Netsafe greatly appreciates scam reports as they help. Log in to Westpac One®The trust score of westpac. I received a hoax/spam/scam/fake email or SMS claiming to be from Westpac. au. Fraud alert: Watch out for scam phone calls claiming to be from Westpac, government agencies and telecommunications companies. 10:24pm Jan 29, 2021. Tuesday 7 March 2023 14:08 CET | News. Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] information about the latest scams and how to avoid them is available at westpac. Or accidentally getting their customer ID wrong and entering yours. 2 billion ($4. Westpac’s operating expenses dropped seven percent to $4. "Westpac invests heavily in scam prevention and has robust. co. That's the best number for phone banking, to be put through to any branch or to talk to one of our customer service. What should I do now? Reporting scams is really important as it allows us to quickly. If you have been… Westpac blocked $215 million in scam-related losses this year, and more than 800 phishing websites impersonating the bank. Australia’s banks are banding together this week to urge customers to consider setting up a PayID as another step in the fight against scams. wood@thesenior. Some details that show this is a scam. From overseas +64 9 912 8000 (international toll charges apply). To avoid confusion, we've listed details of the best contacts based on common scenarios. Download from the App Store. com. You can also report all suspicious activity to the Australian Cyber Security. Keep yourself safe: download the ABA’s Scam Fact Sheet. (Getty) SHARE. . Westpac alleges it lost $290m due to fraud committed by Forum Finance. For faster service call from your registered mobile number or have your customer ID number on hand. The scammer may pressure you to make a decision quickly. According to consumer advocacy group Choice, cryptocurrency scams have cost Australians more. More information about the latest scams and how to avoid them is available at westpac. Search. Westpac Checkup (Financial services) reported by Josh Was a Westpac checkup call on my home loan. Control your card from the app. Keep up to date with the latest online and cyber security information through these Government or Not for Profit websites: Protect yourself. Here are a few tips to keep you one step ahead of those scammers and. au and delete the fake message from your inbox, sent, and trash folder. As financial losses to cyber fraud ratchet-up across Australia’s business community, Westpac experts explain the latest criminal tactics and how businesses can best avoid them. au or sms/text messages to 0497 132 032 then delete the email or message. Westpac advises customers to be aware of the scam and to not call the phone number provided. One of the newest scams on the block is a twist on its predecessor, the ‘Hi Mum’ scam. Email. Protect yourself from scams. . com. November 7, 2019 ·. net. Forward the suspect email to hoax@westpac. Westpac NZ. 14pm. 1:38pm Aug 11, 2023. “Flip your credit card or debit card over, look at the number. Report Westpac Scam Text. You can check these. au/scams. Ask for the wire transfer to be reversed. These attempts to defraud can occur via a number of methods eg credit card fraud, telephone banking and also Internet scams. The fraudulent invoice looked exactly the same as one sent by Mr Hall's builder a couple of months earlier, except for the bank account. August 10, 2023 - 1:34PM. This scam commonly starts as a new message received via WhatsApp or other messaging apps, designed to convince parents their. WestPac are a global broker. Westpac is working with Optus and “other telco partners” to prevent scammers from using call spoofing to impersonate the bank. At Westpac, we’re vigilant about safeguarding your financial and personal information. Darryl Wong's Phone Number and Email Last Update. 12:00pm December 21 2022. They typically insist that there is something wrong with your computer or that you are eligible for some kind of payment or. But Sauermann kept trying. We’ll confirm receipt of your dispute via email/SMS. A Push notification is a notification sent to your registered device (s) for: Deposits such as a salary payment or payments from friends or family and payments to your credit card (OSKO & PayID payments coming soon) Direct debits and card purchases, for example memberships and subscriptions and, credit and debit card purchases. Fraud alert: Watch out for scam phone calls claiming to be from Westpac, government agencies and telecommunications companies. We call this remediation. Westpac launches new anti-scam security. Engage via Email. Westpac offers Desktop,Mac,iPhone,Android,WEB trading to 10,000+ clients. An Auckland couple is beyond relieved after coming just seconds away from losing half a million dollars in a sophisticated banking scam. Email account compromises occur frequently in New Zealand and can result in high financial losses for affected businesses and their clients, as well as reputational damage. Keep up to date on scams by subscribing to the governments scam alert email. You are right; it seems to be a scam text intended to get personal information. Scammers often use genuine information about an organisation to create some legitimacy in their messages, but make small changes to links or phone numbers to avoid recipients identifying the scam. If you clicked on a link provided in hoax email or SMS, it's possible your security could've. In the scam, cybercriminals are seeking access to business and consumer online accounts by phishing for customers’ phone banking credentials, including their customer ID, password, phone banking PIN, and. Westpac has banned customers from transferring funds to the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, in a move aimed at reducing losses from scams. com. Phishing, which is where people are tricked into handing over sensitive information like bank details, was responsible for $24. 'I'm calling from the bank' schemers contact victims about alleged problems with a bank account or funds, sometimes originating as text messages asking for contact via telephone. The customer may have been able to spot the scam if she had carefully read what the text message said – i. October 2023 - SMS Scams Be alert to unexpected messages posing as Westpac. Perth family robbed of $32,000 in sophisticated phone scam. Please report scams or suspicious activity immediately to Westpac at 132 032 or +61 2 9155 7700 (if calling from overseas). au. In a bid to combat these scams, Westpac has worked with Optus to become the first private Australian business to block calls from scammers impersonating the bank. Report your card lost / stolen using Online. Westpac’s chief executive of consumer and. Netsafe has compiled this information from the Domain Name Commission’s latest scams page and from our scam information collected from our helpline data. Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) – Scams information. To report a scam or to seek assistance, customers can call 132-032 or via the Westpac app. Among Westpac's customers, Young says these types of scams are among the top three, alongside investment and romance scams, in terms of volume and value lost. suspect SMS, a client should forward a fishy SMS text to Westpac fraud department contact phone number 0497-132-032 for investigation/. Within half an hour he got a phone call from overseas from a man saying he wanted to do business, and it would only cost him $250. These should not be disclosed to anyone. Westpac said scams. Check out the types of scams being used plus some useful tips on how to stay safe. A higher daily limit. Westpac Bank has released a recording of the call to show the “incredibly convincing” techniques scammers use to swindle money from unsuspecting victims – and point out the red flags. Recipients are also urged to forward a copy of the scam message to [email protected] to register for a Security Device? Westpac Protect™ SMS Code. How to request an update about an existing case. Westpac's General Terms and Conditions require you to, amongst other things, safeguard your Security Details, notify Westpac immediately of any security breach, and provide all relevant details of any fraudulent activity. MyIR. . Previously, Tamara was a Project Admin istrator at Fulton Hogan and also held positions at SILK Laser Clinics, Glenelg Beach Hostel. 2. Menu. Doxxing. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. It offers advice for people with an intellectual disability, and those who support them. nz Need to report fraud, scam or dispute? It can be difficult to know exactly who to contact when you think you've been involved in a fraud, scam or a transaction dispute with a merchant. The phone call was released by Westpac on Wednesday to help raise awareness following a recent spike in scam activity. 08:00am July 18 2022. Business email compromise scams. 13:30 June 30 2023. 4. More than 94,000. (+61 2) 9155 7700. 35pm. Recipients are also urged to forward a copy of the scam message to hoax@westpac. Scammers have now been spamming and sending text messages to Westpac consumers claiming that all accounts will be frozen until they hand out. au into your browser or using the Westpac mobile banking app. This is a strong indicator that the website may be a scam. An Australian journalist has become a victim of an elaborate scam that used legitimate Westpac bank phone numbers to steal almost $35,000. In a bid to combat these scams, Westpac has worked with Optus to become the first private Australian business to block calls from scammers impersonating the bank. Auckland man fleeced over $600 in Waka Kotahi text scam. Home; Compare Brokers By Country; Westpac review, 2021 Update. Jenny lost almost $300,000 to an elaborate scam. com. 54 million scam cases since January 2022. Read More. com. We’ve recently received reports of scammers impersonating us by spoofing our trusted phone numbers. Westpac has announced it has started automatically blocking customer payments to overseas retailers deemed to be of "high risk" for scam activity. au or phone The Senior 02-4355. In re Westpac Class Action Litigation. Westpac customer reveals what happened after he made a ‘modest’ cash deposit. They may say you will be arrested immediately if you do not respond. Or if outside Australia + 61 2 9155 7700 (outside Australia) Our Fraud Detection Team advises you on unusual activity on your card and asks if the charges are yours. He suggested letting calls from unknown phone numbers go through to. Be particularly wary of scams delivered by SMS or phone calls – do not trust a caller because they have some of your personal information (e. We have rigorous security measures in place that protect the privacy and confidentiality of our customers, including industry best. Scammers are very active in our community. fraud by Email, you should forward the fraud text to hoax@westpac. 11:44pm Nov 8, 2023. whether over the phone, through the post, by email, on a website, in person, or on. Report the scam: Encourage them to report the scam to the NZ Police, Netsafe or Cert NZ. do. Scams Jul 2021 - Jan 2022. You can verify the authenticity of any contact you aren’t sure about, or report a scam, by calling 132 032 or emailing them at. ABN: 33007457141. Bank impersonations. ; Enforcing SMS and email unsubscribe rules – concentrating on businesses that take no. Scam text messages appeared in the same thread as James' legitimate Westpac messages. au or 0497 132 032. 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please report scams or suspicious activity immediately to Westpac at 132 032 or +61 2 9155 7700 (if calling from overseas). 11:44pm Nov 8, 2023. O. Please note that calls made from mobile phones, public telephones or hotel rooms may attract additional charges. Online & Mobile Banking, 8am-8pm Sydney Time, Mon-Fri. Sydney property developer Jean Nassif and his daughter secured approval for a $150 million credit application by allegedly deceiving Westpac with fraudulent pre-sales contracts, with the. Home; Westpac review; Westpac Guide – Read our In-Depth Westpac Review. Statement by a Westpac spokesperson: "Westpac invests heavily in scam prevention and has robust processes in place to alert and protect customers. Got a message from this phone number saying: "To confirm payment of $10. Call us to report lost or stolen card. 10:24pm Jan 29, 2021 Australian's are being warned of the latest text scam attempting to steal banking details by posing as Westpac. Report suspicious emails or scam details to hoax@westpac. Read about the latest scams and security threats, learn how to spot and avoid a scam. Westpac. com. Netsafe has received multiple reports from people about card fraud phone scams. You must contact Westpac immediately on 0800 888 111 as soon as you become aware or suspect: Your Android device or the SIM card for your device are lost or stolen. Black cardholders can call 1300 651 999. Or on +64 9 912 8000 if you're outside New Zealand (standard call charges will apply). Share. One of Australia’s big four banks has issued a warning about a new text scam that is trying to rob its customers of their personal details and cash. This scam SMS claims your access has been revoked. Net outcome with phone 2FA is you're better. However, for added security, the payer will see the registered PayID name displayed on their screen. Westpac’s general manager of fraud prevention and financial crimes, Chris Whittingham, said “call spoofing” – in which scammers use software to mask their phone number with the number of a well-known company – is a common identity fraud tactic. (949) 272-2100. oder. We’ll fix the problem to stop more customers being affected. This scam SMS claims to contain a security code required to complete a purchase. View our anti-scams campaign here. In September, Westpac partnered with Optus to become the first private Australian business to block calls from scammers impersonating the bank, adding more. ScamSpot: a series of 2-minute bites to help spot the latest scams. A caller claiming to work for the Westpac credit card fraud team says they have detected an attempted overseas transaction ($600 - $1,200) on the customer’s card. Share your Credit Card expiry date, PIN or CVC. Westpac Bank has made a $1000 “full and final” settlement payment to a 71-year-old scam victim after cyber criminals gained access to his online accounts and drained $100,000. A recorded message claims the customer has a large fraudulent transaction on their credit card and they need to press 1 to reverse it. This guide is about . We own mistakes we’ve made and want to put things right as quickly and fairly as possible for you. When we email you, we will include your name or myIR username. Think card activation, locking and unlocking, changing your PIN and more – all in just a few taps. Other Reported Scams; Reported TXT scams from previous years. There are currently more than 94,000 Westpac phone numbers that have been added to a “Do Not Originate” list, which will prevent scammers from impersonating the bank’s numbers. Almost half of Westpac NZ customers say they are finding it harder to identify scams, as criminals adopt increasingly sophisticated approaches to swindle their victims. Email account compromises occur frequently in New Zealand and can result in high financial losses for affected businesses and their clients, as well as reputational damage. It might not be rogue - it could be someone actually fraudulently trying to access your account. Do not act on the instructions within this SMS. From there, they can use the information and the email account to carry out a range of fraud, scams and cyberattacks. Find out moreLet us know. Fake recruitment agencies or contact victims with fake job offers that require prepayment. Welcome to Westpac One® – your new online banking experience has launched! Westpac One makes online banking easier, faster and smarter than ever. com. If you’ve responded to a suspicious call, email or text message, please call us on 13 22 65 or visit your nearest branch. Rewards. Often recruited through job ads, money mules have become a big part of. com +44 151 994 3722. George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne or select Westpac Group partner ATMs without a card or get cash to others by sending them a cash code to use. Five things to look out for on a scam phone call: The caller doesn't give you time to think, tries to stop you speaking to a family member or friend or is insistent and makes you feel uncomfortable. If you received a Westpac Protect™ Security Code that looks different to what you expected (for example, the recipient account details had changed), please call us immediately on 132 032. Previously,. Bank impersonations. One of Australia’s big four banks has issued a warning about a new text scam that is trying to rob its customers of their personal details and cash. Westpac said it would integrate its fraud-detection systems with its digital-payment platforms to help customers identify potential scams through real-time payment prompts. 19% of all telemarketing and spam complaints from January to March 2023 were about scams. SCAM ALERT: Our Financial Crime team have had reports of customers receiving calls from scammers posing as Westpac employees. Need further help? Call 0800 400 600. Requests for sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, birthdates and passwords should also be red flags. ”Internet fraud. I received a hoax/spam/scam/fake email or SMS claiming to be from Westpac. (First published 04/07/23) Scams are on the rise and no matter how confident you are that you can spot them. 19 December 2021 at 6:03 pm · 3-min read. More than 94,000 Westpac phone numbers have now been added to a ‘Do Not Originate’ list, which prevents scammers from impersonating Westpac numbers. Australian banking customers beware, a new phishing scam email is circulating purporting to be from Westpac Bank. 4 out of 5 stars from 1,413 genuine reviews on Australia's largest opinion site ProductReview. Calls imitating support desk staff looking to access your computer by pretending to know your CLSID. Please report scams or suspicious activity immediately to Westpac at 132 032 or +61 2 9155 7700 (if calling from overseas). Report suspicious activity now to 132 032 (or +61 2 9155 7700 if overseas). Broker Data Network. A Push notification is a notification sent to your registered device (s) for: Deposits such as a salary payment or payments from friends or family and payments to your credit card (OSKO & PayID payments coming soon) Direct debits and card purchases, for example memberships and subscriptions and, credit and debit card purchases. You need to report the scam directly to USPS too: ・Begin a new email to [email protected] Wong is a Techology Fraud Scams Operations Channel Manager at Westpac based in Sydney, New South Wales. Remote Access Scam Example. 6 March 2023. com. Lost or stolen cards. You should receive your replacement card within 5-7 business days if you’re in Australia or up to 5-10 business days if you’re overseas. Bullying & abuse Staying Safe Young People. Phishing Report a scam Latest Scams What is Phishing? Phishing is a way scammers trick you into unknowingly sharing your personal information such as passwords, account. Ireland Hendry-Tennent. George Bank and also held positions at Universal Store, Cotton On. My Westpac Protect™ Security Code looks different to. Overall profit jumped 26% to A$7. Daniel Scaramuzza is a Digital Fraud & Scams Officer at Westpac based in Sydney, New South Wales. To combat these scams, Westpac has worked with Optus to stop scammers from being able to use call spoofing software and impersonate calls using Westpac’s number. Emails or text messages prompting you to click on links or attachments. The ordeal unfolded through a series of fake bank calls and messages, culminating in a ruthless raid on their bank account within just a few hours. That's the best number for phone banking, to be put through to any branch or to talk to one of our customer service. Westpac blocked $215 million in scam-related losses this year, and more than 800 phishing websites impersonating the bank. The new National Anti-Scam Centre shares information from scam reports and works with government, law enforcement and the private sector to disrupt and prevent scams. Cards, 8am-8pm Sydney Time, 7 days. Engage via Email. Email phishing@westpac. The algorithm has scanned the website looking at the source code being used, terms and conditions, registry, location of the company and if the website has received many positive or. Aussie customer has called out a major bank’s act that he has labelled “outrageous” and “sickening. Westpac found people. People will attempt to steal a customer's login. PayID is a facility available to almost any person or business. If you have suffered it in OZ, you're unusual. We will get a replacement card to you as soon as possible and can stop all transactions on your account immediately. Page 3One of Australia’s big four banks has issued a warning about a new text scam that is trying to rob its customers of their personal details and cash. "I was on (the) call waiting for three and a half hours and then the phone just hung up after that," he said. , that they are completing a purchase and not cancelling a purchase. Westpac says it has discovered “significant potential fraud” involving a finance company controlled by the owner of the Sydney Olympic Football Club that could. (Getty) SHARE. The scam block covers Westpac credit and debit card customers, as well as those making purchases via third-party mobile phone wallets. Let us know. Digital Fraud & Scams Officer at Westpac. Westpac has today announced new measures to help more female-led small businesses to get started or to grow with dedicated start-up and scale-up loans. Although Westpac managed to thwart the convincing scam attempt, they did detail the warning signs customers needed to watch out for as con artists become more sophisticated and difficult to detect.