Bushfire Website Scam Warning
Thursday 12 March 2009
Potential donors to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund have been warned that a fake website has been set up calling for donations.
The website: http://victoriabushfirefund.webs.com/whoweare.htm has images of the bushfires and information about the Appeal Fund and looks like a genuine site.
People are warned that this is not a legitimate website. It is not endorsed by the Australian Red Cross, the Victorian Government or the Commonwealth Government who jointly established the Appeal.
Under no circumstances should people provide their banking or personal details on this site. The matter has been referred to Victoria Police.
Funds raised through Australian Red Cross to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund now stands at $236 million, a record amount raised to help people devastated by a local disaster.
More than 2000 survivors of the 2009 bushfires have already received assistance through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, with money continuing to be distributed to those who have lost their homes, their loved ones and their possessions.
Legitimate donations can be made through the Australian Red Cross website www.redcross.org.au.
The correct website for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund is www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal
Media Contact: Paul Barber 03 9096 8713/0413 756 023