Scamwatch has been developed to advise consumers on how to spot conmen and rip off schemes ranging from Internet scams and investment fraud to pyramid selling schemes.
Its launch follows growing concerns over the increasing number of on and off line scams being reported to agencies throughout the country.
The site, which was launched today, is being promoted as 'the Online Guide to Scams, Swindles, Rorts and Rip Offs.
It provides wide ranging advice on how the various scams operate and how to recognise them.
Visitors to the site are invited to play a Scam Game designed to show them how easy it is to have their money taken from them.
They also can take part in a fraud quiz that will tell them how likely they are to be ripped off by a con artists.
Scamwatch offers advice on a variety of Internet businesses including Internet auctions, which it warns people off.
-Bidding for things online that you have not seen, from people you haven't met, who live in countries you haven't visited, is probably one of the riskiest things you can do.
-Internet auction sites are a fertile breeding ground for e-con artists."
According to the site the FBI estimates that of the 500 million Internet auctions that took place last year, 5 million were scams. Scamwatch also provides information under topics such as 'the scammer's perspective', 'dangerous myths', and 'why scams succeed' and outlines how consumers can protect themselves.
It includes tools for reporting scams and links to Australian consumer agencies as well as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The site warns that the more time people spend online they more likely they are to be exposed to some form of scam.
Queensland Fair Trading Minister Merri Rose said consumers were being targeted by numerous international and Australian based scams operated by unscrupulous people whose sole objective was conning people out of their hard-earned cash.
And about time too!! Not much point tho if they simply pass you off (pass the buck), to another department or organisation, who then does the same or worse yet, nothing about the problem. I won't hold my breath in anticipation of any real action for Internet users who get conned or ripped off! I know! "Let the buyer beware", will be the cry. By the time you find out it is a scam, its too late. You are caught!