21 Runaway Bay local Sean O’Hara has just celebrated his 88th birthday—but he’s showing no signs of slowing down... (well maybe just a little he admits!) On July 4th, Sean will once again lace up his running shoes for the 5km event at the Gold Coast Marathon, marking an incredible 30 years of participation. Over the decades, Sean has taken on 11 Half Marathons, numerous 10km events, and built an impressive sporting résumé. He has proudly represented Australia in five World Masters Games and competed in 11 Pan Pacific Masters Games held right here on the Gold Coast, participating in both Race Walking and Distance Running. Sean’s dedication goes beyond personal achievement—he’s also raised awareness by participating in fun runs for the Cancer Council and Heart Foundation. We applaud Sean’s inspiring commitment to fitness and community, and wish him all the best as he tackles the 5km GC Marathon once again this July. Sean O’Hara celebrates 88th birthday with 30th GC Marathon appearance Do you know who you are speaking to? Understanding and fighting bank impersonation scams. Impersonation scams often target unsuspecting individuals through deceptive practices. These scams can involve scammers pretending to be bank representatives to trick you into giving away personal information or money. Scammers might call, email, or text, pretending to be from your bank. They often create a sense of urgency or fear to make you act quickly without thinking. For example, a scammer might call you pretending to be a bank representative, saying there has been suspicious activity on your account and you need to verify your information immediately to avoid losing money. These scams can be very convincing and emotionally manipulative. How to recognise the signs To protect yourself, be aware of these warning signs: Unsolicited contact: You may be contacted out of the blue by someone claiming to be from your bank via text, emails, or calls. Urgency: Scammers will create pressure for you to act fast due to a possibility of suspicious activity or legal consequences. Request for information: Scammers may ask you to provide sensitive information, such as your password, PINs, card numbers, or one-time codes. Links: You may be requested to click on a link to provide information. Unusual requests: You may be asked to do something out of the ordinary such as moving money to a different account to “secure your funds”, or downloading software. Remember Stop: If you receive an unexpected call, email, or message claiming to be from your bank, stop and think before you respond. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly without thinking. Check: Verify the authenticity of the communication. Contact your bank directly using the phone number on the back of your bank card or through their official website. Do not use any contact information provided in the suspicious message or call. Take your time to review messages, especially ones where you are requested to click on a link and provide information. If the message is asking for payment or personal details, verify the request on an authenticated platform, like the company’s genuine website that you’ve searched for, or an authenticated application. Reject: If it feels suspicious, delete the email, hang up, or block the number. Do not provide any personal or financial information. What to do if you get scammed If you fall victim to a scam, act quickly to minimise the damage: Stop communication: Cease all contact with the scammer immediately. Report the scam: Notify your bank if you have given any financial details immediately. Report the scam to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) through their Scamwatch website. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised transactions. Change your passwords: If you shared any account details, change your passwords immediately and consider enabling two-factor authentication. Seek support: Contact IDCARE, a free, government-funded service that provides support to victims of identity crime. Long-term measures Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about common scams and share this knowledge with friends and family. Secure your information: Be cautious about sharing personal information online and ensure your devices have up-to-date security software. Review transaction history: Regularly check your transaction history for any unusual activity. By staying vigilant and informed, seniors in Australia can better protect themselves from bank impersonation scams and contribute to a safer community. Remember, if something feels off, it's always better to verify before taking any action.
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