As an international student, it’s important to know that there are laws in place to protect your consumer rights in Victoria.
Consumer rights refer to the legal protections you have when you purchase goods or services in Australia. As a customer, you are entitled to be treated fairly under fair trading and consumer law.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the law can’t protect you from scammers and fraud. That’s why it is essential to be aware of common scams and the ways to avoid them.
What are my rights as a consumer in Australia?
As an international student, you enjoy the same consumer protections as anyone else in Australia.
This means that whether you’re shopping for goods in a retail store, buying or selling a car, purchasing services from a vendor or tradesperson or renting accommodation from a landlord or agent, you are entitled to fair treatment.
Consumer laws outline who is responsible if you have problems with a product or service. For example, if you purchase a faulty item from a store or online, the seller may be required to offer you a refund, repair or replacement.
You can learn more about your rights via Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Common scams
A scam is when someone attempts to trick another person for financial gain or personal information.
Companies, law enforcement agencies and government groups are always on the lookout for new scams. For an overview of new scams threatening people in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s Scamwatch News & alerts page. Alternatively, you can check the websites of service providers you use as a student. For example, the Bank of Melbourne’s scams and alerts page outlines the latest threats to its members.
View transcript
[Inspiring music, illustrated graphic overlays of mobile phones and text to reinforce key messages]
Speaker 1: Most scams involve impersonations that are not always obvious and you can receive them in multiple ways. Scammers are great at playing with your emotions. They make you fearful, stressed, or anxious to get you to act quickly. So whenever you receive a call, email, or text that asks for sensitive information or money, or you're looking at social media or web content, stop. Not everyone is who they say they are. Think who's really there. And take steps to protect yourself by independently checking who you are dealing with. Always ask who's really there? Stop, think, protect, and report scams to Scamwatch.
[Text and logos on screen]
Who’s really there?
Stop. Think. Protect.
Report scams to scamwatch.gov.au
Australian Government
National Anti-scam Centre
Scams Awareness Week
[End transcript]
Here are some common scams to watch out for:
Chinese authority scam
In these scams, victims receive a call from someone speaking Mandarin and claiming to be from the Chinese authorities. They then usually threaten the person by alleging that they’re in trouble and must pay money to prove their innocence. Watch these videos to learn more.
Common fraud examples
Ransom and fraud
A common scam involves a phone call, text or email about a fake parcel delivery. In this instance, The student is told that an illegal parcel addressed to them has been found and is being held and investigated. Often, the student is shown fake police identification, and then coerced into parting with large sums of money.
If you receive a call or email that seems suspicious, it probably is. Government, police or law enforcement officials will never demand your bank account details, passport information or address, or ask to monitor your movements, over the phone. These are clear warning signs that the call is fraudulent and should be reported to Scamwatch, or ReportCyber if it’s an internet-based scam.
Visa and immigration status
Some students have reported being called about their Australian visa status by someone pretending to be an overseas consulate employee. The scammer then tells the student that they’re in trouble in their home country (for example, being involved in a crime) and that their Australian visa will be impacted unless they pay money. In many cases, the scammer has been able to mirror official numbers to help them appear more legitimate.
Know that in Australia, only the Department of Home Affairs can grant, refuse or cancel your student visa. You can also register with the local office of the consulate for your country of origin when you arrive in Victoria, as they are a reliable source of information about your home country. You can find more information on visa scams, and how to report a visa scam, on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Course fees
Some international students encounter false information about their course fees. In this scam, the student is approached by someone who claims they can bargain a cheaper rate on the student’s course fees. The scammer may even recruit international students to approach other students on their behalf.
Be aware that fees are set by your education provider and are not negotiable. You should never pay your fees to anyone other than your education provider, via the payment methods detailed in your acceptance letter. If you’re ever unsure about fees, have a problem paying them or need further advice, contact your education provider and talk to dedicated student advisors who are there to help you.
Social media or online forums
Social media, online forums and virtual meet-ups are great ways to connect with other students when you first arrive in Victoria. But, be careful with the information you give out and the personal details you display online.
Some rules to follow include:
- If an email looks suspicious, delete it without opening it
- If you’re not sure a group or forum is legitimate, ask a friend for a second opinion
- Make sure you don’t display or give out your personal details online
- Check that your documents don’t contain sensitive information
- Never send someone your bank account details, passport number or current address via email
- Use antivirus and security software on your computer and mobile phone
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for suspicious activity and contact your bank’s helpline immediately if something is not right
- Know that your bank will never send you confirmation of identity or bank account details via email
- If you think you may have encountered an online scam, contact Scamwatch or ReportCyber immediately for help
Online shopping scams
Some scammers will use online stores, classified ads and marketplaces to advertise and sell products that do not exist. You may also receive invoices for things you have not ordered.
Job and money making scams
If you are looking for work, be alert for scammers offering high-paying jobs or lucrative opportunities. Other common tricks include claiming that you’ve won a prize or have received a large sum of money and then asking you to pay to access it.
Rental scams
When looking for accommodation, keep an eye out for fraudulent ads. Rental scammers may ask you to pay a fee or deposit before inspecting a property, for your personal or banking information, or to pay bond and rent via credit card or wire transfer.
To learn about the warning signs you should look out for, visit the Your rights when renting page.
How to avoid scams
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to help avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
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Keep personal information private
Never reveal personal information over the phone unless you’ve verified that you’re speaking to a trusted person.
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Contact organisations directly
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a bank, government department or other institution asking for sensitive information, hang up and contact the organisation directly using the details on their website.
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Don’t click links from text messages or emails
Never click links you receive in text messages or emails. If a message prompts you to check an account, always log in through a web browser rather than using buttons or links in a message.
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Be suspicious of manipulation attempts
Scammers often try to manipulate you through fear or intimidation. Be suspicious of anyone who tries to threaten you or pressure you into making a quick decision.
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Approach payments cautiously
Be cautious of people asking you to pay in unusual ways. Scammers will often ask you to pay by wire transfer or to set up new accounts or PayIDs.
Contact your bank immediately if you’ve been affected by a financial scam or your account details have been compromised. While they may not be able to retrieve your money, they can protect your account by locking your card and stopping any in-progress transactions.
Then, contact IDCARE to seek additional support. IDCARE operates in Australia and New Zealand and can help you make a plan to protect your identity and minimise any risks.
Make sure you also visit Scamwatch to report the scam. Not only does this aid law enforcement and other groups in identifying and addressing new threats, but reporting can protect others from falling victim as well.
Learn more about scams in Victoria
You can learn more about how to protect yourself from scams on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website.
And don’t forget that you can always get in touch with the team at the Study Melbourne Hub for further help and advice if you think you have fallen victim to a scam.
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