POLICE are urging local residents to be vigilant as scammers become more brazen in their attempts to gain access to bank accounts.
Senior Constable Travis Collier said new scams were emerging at a local level with social media platforms the target.
Last week there was an incident in Kerang whereby a scammer attempted to gain access to a credit card via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a messenger app for smartphones, allowing users to send messages, images, audio or video.
In this particular instance, the offender contacted the resident via WhatsApp, pretending to be a relative.
The two exchanged several messages prior to the scammer asking for a photograph of her credit card.
While this request raised alarm bells and she didn’t proceed, Snr Const Collier said the resident was lucky she was able to contact the relative via another form of communication and question the request for financial assistance.
As a result, the local resident discovered she had been communicating with a scammer pretending to be her relative.
“It’s something we haven’t seen before,” Snr Const Collier said.
“It’s a new avenue for scammers, no longer is it just the old letter in the mail or a text message, scammers are now targeting social media platforms.”
Snr Const Collier said these types of scams can easily go undetected as the scammers pose as friends or family members seeking financial help in an emergency situation.
“It’s important that residents investigate the request in more detail if something doesn’t seem right.”Drug caution
A 58-year-old Cohuna man was issued a caution after he was found to be in possession of Cannabis.Drugs
A 37-year-old Barham man was charged and bailed in relation to drug and driving offences.
He was in possession of methylamphetamine and driving whilst disqualified.
