❓ Hon. Kate Doust inquires about the Department of Commerce's language translation services for non-English speakers and its involvement in fraud-related projects beyond Project Sunbird. The Minister confirms translation services and details a comprehensive fraud program and taskforce participation.
AnsweredQoN 718Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CONSUMER
FRAUD — PROJECT SUNBIRD
718. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to Project Sunbird.
(1) Does the department provide language
translation services for people who may have trouble speaking English?
(2) Is the department involved in any other
projects or taskforces in relation to fraud; for example, mobile phone scams,
online ''free offer'' scams, identity theft, and so on?
(3) If yes to (2), can the minister please provide a list of each one?
FRAUD — PROJECT SUNBIRD
718. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to Project Sunbird.
(1) Does the department provide language
translation services for people who may have trouble speaking English?
(2) Is the department involved in any other
projects or taskforces in relation to fraud; for example, mobile phone scams,
online ''free offer'' scams, identity theft, and so on?
(3) If yes to (2), can the minister please provide a list of each one?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) Yes. The department utilises an external interpreter service if
consumers require it.
(2) Yes.
(3) In addition to Project Sunbird, the department
has a comprehensive program focusing on a wide range of consumer fraud
targeting Western Australian consumers. The primary resource provided by the
department for the public is the ScamNet website at www.scamnet.wa.gov.au. This
is supported by active engagement with traditional and social media, and
community engagement. The department monitors a wide range of consumer frauds
on a daily basis, including those relating to accommodation; advance fee
frauds; beneficiary frauds; businesses; employment; inheritance; investments;
lotteries, prizes and competitions; online selling; phishing; real estate;
rebates, refunds and bank fees; relationships; and technology. The department
also participates in the following groups and taskforces in relation to consumer
fraud: the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce; the WA Commercial Crime
Committee; quarterly meetings with the Australian Taxation Office, the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission; and the department has an agreement with Australia
Post under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to intercept suspected
scam mail.
(1) Yes. The department utilises an external interpreter service if
consumers require it.
(2) Yes.
(3) In addition to Project Sunbird, the department
has a comprehensive program focusing on a wide range of consumer fraud
targeting Western Australian consumers. The primary resource provided by the
department for the public is the ScamNet website at www.scamnet.wa.gov.au. This
is supported by active engagement with traditional and social media, and
community engagement. The department monitors a wide range of consumer frauds
on a daily basis, including those relating to accommodation; advance fee
frauds; beneficiary frauds; businesses; employment; inheritance; investments;
lotteries, prizes and competitions; online selling; phishing; real estate;
rebates, refunds and bank fees; relationships; and technology. The department
also participates in the following groups and taskforces in relation to consumer
fraud: the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce; the WA Commercial Crime
Committee; quarterly meetings with the Australian Taxation Office, the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission; and the department has an agreement with Australia
Post under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 to intercept suspected
scam mail.
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