New Online Scam Placing Unwarranted Pressure On WA Businesses

A new scam involving an online competition is putting hospitality and tourism businesses at risk.

Legitimate businesses who have posted competitions on their social media pages were under threat when scammers begun duplicating the promotion.

Competitions were being copycated to draw in small businesses and those without work due to COVID conflicts.

Coordinator for WA ScamNet Paul Cvejic warned people about the potential risks online, and how it is starting to affect businesses preparing to get back on their feet.

"It's hard enough for those businesses to be doing trade at the moment, putting out these competitions is a way of getting back out there," Cvejic said.

"Having to deal with these scammers, they're having to police these scammers a lot stricter."

It comes after reports of an Australian-wide text message scam, sent out to those waiting COVID relief payments.

To find out if you are being scammed, or need any information on the happenings head to: www.scamnet.wa.gov.au/scamnet/Home.htm

Get the latest breaking news from SCA newsrooms around Australia. Short, simple and everything you need to know.