Latest news with #ABCNewsAustralia
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australian man, 73, says his bank failed to protect him from ‘ghost tapping' scam — and so he's taking them to court
A 73-year-old man in Australia has launched a legal war against one of the country's biggest banks — and he may be the first scam victim to ever take things this far. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how According to a recent report from ABC News Australia, pensioner Ian Williams is suing National Australia Bank (NAB) for $379 million after it said he was responsible for $1,338 in transactions he said he didn't recognize. After CCTV footage collected by the police proved it wasn't him who made those transactions, the bank said it would return the money in full under two conditions. Williams refused. "It's the principle of the thing. I just won't wear being called a liar," he said. 'I'm a stubborn old turd, and I will not give up.' Here's what happened. Fraudulent $1,338 charge on account It all began in October 2022. Williams says he discovered two suspicious charges on his account — $515 and $823 — at a Coles supermarket in Bundoora, a suburb 150 kilometers away from his home. When he contacted NAB's digital subsidiary, uBank, he says a representative told him the transactions were made using his Google Pay account. "They said that I was guilty, I was responsible, I was personally at Coles to do the transactions with my phone and my thumbprint," he said. His maps app and sleep-tracking app both supported his claim he was in Bendigo around that time. He had call and text logs which showed his friend was coming over that morning. He also made a statement at the police station and sent it to the bank, but it was not enough. Eventually, CCTV footage confirmed that the shopper wasn't him — police said it showed 'two young males' using what appeared to be cloned card credentials on phones. That's when the bank offered to reimburse him the $1,338 — on the condition that he sign a non-disclosure agreement and agree that the payment did not mean the bank was taking responsibility for the missing funds. Five months after Williams declined, a second offer of $1,500 came with strings attached: no legal action allowed. He turned that down too. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it The court battle What followed was a year-long journey of legal research and late nights. He said no civil lawyer he met was willing to take on his case without fees. Williams represented himself and filed a 14-page writ against NAB, alleging the bank failed to secure his banking credentials and transaction data, failed to use its fraud detection protocols, breached its duty to "protect customers from unauthorised transactions" and violated obligations under Australia's ePayments Code by not conducting a fair and transparent investigation. He argued that the $1,338 loss represented 5.5% of his annual pension — and therefore is seeking 5.5% of NAB's 2022 profit after tax: $379.05 million. "Things need to be proportionate," he said. In a brief courtroom victory earlier this year, the bank failed to respond in time, and a default judgment was awarded in Williams' favor. But NAB's lawyers later had the judgment overturned, citing a paperwork issue. The case is now headed for a full hearing — and if Williams loses, he could be on the hook for the bank's legal fees, which he says could bankrupt him. Any money he wins he wants to donate to Indigenous health charities. How was Williams scammed? It's likely Williams was the victim of 'ghost tapping.' In such cases, the scammer steals credit card details to register the card on their phone's digital wallet. According to ABC News Australia, 'Williams did receive text messages a few days before the fraudulent transaction went through, with a passcode for him to confirm he wanted to add his card to a new Google Pay account.' In the U.S., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) placed Google Pay under federal supervision late last year citing consumer complaints. The effort was abandoned this year by the new acting CFPB director Russell Vought, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. The U.S. version of the Google Pay app was shut down in June 2024. Owners of credit and debit cards should take these precautions: Don't provide codes: Text messages may contain one-time codes to authorize adding your card to a phone wallet, so don't share them with potential scammers over the phone or online. Scammers may pretend to be your financial institution. Avoid entering card details on unfamiliar websites: Many ghost tapping scams begin with fake checkout pages designed to harvest your information. Use alerts and two-factor authentication: Enable real-time transaction alerts from your bank to catch fraudulent activity early. Contact your bank immediately: Report it if anything seems off — and escalate to law enforcement or a financial complaints body if needed. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
19 People Stranded in Cars amid Heavy Snowfall Rescued in 'Treacherous' Conditions: Reports
More than 20 people became stranded in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm near Mount Hotham in Victoria's High Country, Australia over the weekend Travelers got stuck in their vehicles "following more than 50cm of snowfall in the area," the Victoria State Emergency Service reported All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have since been rescued, ABC News Australia reported 19 people have reportedly been rescued after being trapped in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm at Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps, Australia. On Sunday, June 7, emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation to recover those who were stranded near Hotham Heights after 'more than 50cm of snowfall in the area,' the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) announced in a press release on Facebook on Sunday, June 8. All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have now been rescued, ABC News Australia reported. While 13 were rescued on Sunday, a further six were brought to safety on Monday, June 9. No one remains trapped in the area, The Guardian reported, citing SES and police. The Guardian and 9 News reported that 13 motorists and two hikers were rescued on Sunday after getting trapped in the snow near Mount Hotham the previous night. They got stuck at around 10:50 p.m. traveling along Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Half a dozen of those trapped were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles, ABC News Australia reported, citing SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler. "The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous," Boler told the outlet. The conditions up on the mountain have been very, very difficult to deal with." There has been 62 cm of snowfall in the region over the past week, with temperatures falling to -4.3-degree Celsius (24.2-degrees Farenheit), ABC News Australia reported. The Country Fire Association, Wangaratta ski club, and Hotham alpine resort have assisted SES in their rescue efforts, according to The Guardian. 'We were very surprised at the number of vehicles that we did come across yesterday…' SES Unit Controller Graham Gales said, per the U.K. outlet. 'The experience of our drivers going into the Dargo High Plains Road yesterday was even they were having difficulty, and these are people that basically work in the snow all year round.' On June 6, the Alpine Shire Council posted a weather warning on Facebook, stating that travelers should 'avoid the Dargo High Plains Road over the King's Birthday long weekend' due to 'snow and high winds' in the [Victorian] alps. 'If you're heading out on the roads, please drive to the conditions, pay attention to signage and don't drive on roads with closure notices in place,' the post read. PEOPLE has reached out to Victoria State Emergency Services for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
19 People Stranded in Cars amid Heavy Snowfall Rescued in 'Treacherous' Conditions: Reports
More than 20 people became stranded in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm near Mount Hotham in Victoria's High Country, Australia over the weekend Travelers got stuck in their vehicles "following more than 50cm of snowfall in the area," the Victoria State Emergency Service reported All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have since been rescued, ABC News Australia reported 19 people have reportedly been rescued after being trapped in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm at Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps, Australia. On Sunday, June 7, emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation to recover those who were stranded near Hotham Heights after 'more than 50cm of snowfall in the area,' the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) announced in a press release on Facebook on Sunday, June 8. All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have now been rescued, ABC News Australia reported. While 13 were rescued on Sunday, a further six were brought to safety on Monday, June 9. No one remains trapped in the area, The Guardian reported, citing SES and police. The Guardian and 9 News reported that 13 motorists and two hikers were rescued on Sunday after getting trapped in the snow near Mount Hotham the previous night. They got stuck at around 10:50 p.m. traveling along Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Half a dozen of those trapped were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles, ABC News Australia reported, citing SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler. "The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous," Boler told the outlet. The conditions up on the mountain have been very, very difficult to deal with." There has been 62 cm of snowfall in the region over the past week, with temperatures falling to -4.3-degree Celsius (24.2-degrees Farenheit), ABC News Australia reported. The Country Fire Association, Wangaratta ski club, and Hotham alpine resort have assisted SES in their rescue efforts, according to The Guardian. 'We were very surprised at the number of vehicles that we did come across yesterday…' SES Unit Controller Graham Gales said, per the U.K. outlet. 'The experience of our drivers going into the Dargo High Plains Road yesterday was even they were having difficulty, and these are people that basically work in the snow all year round.' On June 6, the Alpine Shire Council posted a weather warning on Facebook, stating that travelers should 'avoid the Dargo High Plains Road over the King's Birthday long weekend' due to 'snow and high winds' in the [Victorian] alps. 'If you're heading out on the roads, please drive to the conditions, pay attention to signage and don't drive on roads with closure notices in place,' the post read. PEOPLE has reached out to Victoria State Emergency Services for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm after invasive, acid-spraying ants spread along coast: 'It's extremely concerning'
Tiny hitchhikers are threatening the Fraser Coast of eastern Australia. Acid-spraying yellow crazy ants have been found at the gateway to K'gari, also known as Fraser Island. Locals and experts are calling for biosecurity checks to keep this invasive species from wreaking havoc on the World Heritage Site. According to ABC News Australia, "the 500,000 annual visitors to the island are not subject to routine checks and vehicles belonging to residents, tourists and four-wheel drive enthusiasts could transport yellow crazy ants or other invasive species to the island." Yellow crazy ants are number six on the Global Invasive Species Database's list of the 100 worst invasive species. The aggressive creatures came to Australia through its ports in the 1930s and have since spread to a few areas on the continent. The main concern is that these ants could travel into new areas, like the Fraser Coast, on vehicles without people knowing. Having stations where vehicles could be cleaned and inspected could help keep the ant species from spreading. "My first reaction is fear," Sue Sargent, Natural Integrity Alliance for K'gari chair, told ABC. "It's extremely concerning." The spread of an invasive species can destroy native ecology by outcompeting native species for important resources. This is especially important with the changing climate forcing some species to migrate and adapt to new environments. Protecting native species is important because native plants and animals have a synergistic relationship from centuries of evolution. Declining populations of important ecosystem members like pollinators jeopardize the food supply of the animals in the ecosystem and the global food supply. Invasive species also have important impacts on population health, sometimes driving native species to the brink of extinction. They can also introduce new illnesses to humans, such as the West Nile virus, and to plants, like the Chestnut blight. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Around the world, conservationists are working to protect ecosystems and native species from invasive threats. In South Carolina, officials are working to protect honeybees from invasive wasps. Much of the United States is dealing with the invasive lanternfly. A restaurant in Phuket is dealing with invasive species by cooking them into Michelin dining. According to ABC, K'gari officials will have a biosecurity strategy completed by the end of 2025. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Birds on a Remote Island Make 'Gut-Wrenching Crunching Sounds' Because They Are Full of Littered Plastics
Researchers in Australia have discovered excessive amounts of plastic in birds on the remote Lord Howe Island The birds have plastic making up about 20% of their body mass, which can cause the birds to crunch when both dead and alive Scientists say they found one bird with 778 individual pieces of plastic inside its bodyScientists in Australia have discovered a disturbing new feature of the birds found around the remote Lord Howe Island in New South Wales: they crunch. The picturesque landscape, located about a two-hour flight from Sydney, is home to a variety of wildlife. Unfortunately, this far-flung location doesn't protect the island's animals from the increase in discarded plastics. Ecologist Alex Bond, principal curator at Britain's Natural History Museum, shared with The Washington Post that during a recent trip to Lord Howe Island, he and a team of researchers found a bird with 778 pieces of plastic packed in its stomach "like a brick." "We're talking items up to and including the size of bottle caps and tetra pack lids, cutlery, clothes pegs, the takeaway soy sauce fish bottle that you get from restaurants," Bond noted. "That's the sort of thing that we're finding in the stomachs of these 80-day-old chicks." Bond works with Adrift Labs, an organization that studies the impact of plastic pollution on the world's oceans. Some of the birds the organization discovered on Lord Howe Island — both alive and dead — had so much plastic in their bodies that it amounted to 20% of the birds' total mass. Many birds made what Bond described as a "gut-wrenching crunching sound" when pressed on their sternum. "In the most severely impacted birds, you can hear that while they are still alive," he added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Dr. Jennifer Lavers, a marine scientist working with Adrift Labs, told ABC News Australia, "There is now so much plastic inside of the birds you can feel it on the outside of the animal when it is still alive." She brought Peter Whish-Wilson, a senator for Tasmania, to see the affected animals on the island. "We are poisoning this planet and killing nature by the way we are living and the decisions we are making," Whish-Wilson told ABC News Australia of what he learned. Bond believes the birds on the island are a sign of what's coming. "The things that we're seeing now in sable shearwaters are things that we're absolutely going to see in a lot more species in the years and decades to come," Bond told The Washington Post. According to Recycle Track Systems, an additional 33 billion tons of plastic enter marine environments annually. In April, a new sculpture of a whale made entirely out of recycled plastics found in the ocean was unveiled in London's Canary Wharf. The piece, titled Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper), was created to highlight the impact of plastic pollution. Read the original article on People
