WORK & BUSINESS LICENSES
Media Releases
2 November 2018

People working as security agents in South Australia are being urged to exercise caution when applying for work, after scammers posted a bogus job ad, seeking sensitive personal information from applicants.

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said a security agent applying for a job through the website seek.com.au was sent a form that appeared to be an official Consumer and Business Services document.

The form sought sensitive personal information from the agent, including his driver’s licence number, passport number and medicare number.

“Unfortunately, it was only after the individual provided this information that he did some further digging – and discovered that a scammer had been using the name of a legitimate business to try and get hold of personal information,” Mr Soulio said.

“In addition, the form that had supposedly come from Consumer and Business Services was a faked document and not authorised by us.”

Mr Soulio encouraged agents to be especially careful when businesses ask for sensitive personal information.

“Consumer and Business Services will never ask you to provide sensitive information like your passport number or your driver’s licence number to a third party,” he said.

“If you have any doubts about a form that purports to come from us, contact us to confirm its authenticity.

“In addition, you should make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

“If you have any concerns about the person you’re speaking to – or you aren’t confident that they are who they say they are– find independent means of verifying that information.

“Never just rely on the contact details they provide.”

Mr Soulio said CBS has been in touch with seek.com.au, who have removed the ad, and also reported it to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network.

If you have concerns about information you’ve received purporting to be from CBS, contact CBS on 131 882.

To report a scam, learn more about types of scams or seek help, visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/