Tag Archives: oceania

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Scammers using flood victims' names to steal relief money

A Melbourne man who tried to apply for flood aid was told his name had been used to claim emergency funds multiple times.

Maribyrnong resident Stan Gradzki, who lives with his 92-year-old mother, said his identity was used by scammers as flood relief rolls out to Victorians.

His home and belongings were all destroyed in the floods last week.

READ MORE: Thousands of speeding fines thrown out in Victoria due to confusing speed limit change

"We tried to apply for the payment and they knocked us back, they said there were too many claims at this house," Gradzki told 9News.

"Somebody must have got on and started applying.

"It's so difficult, it's people have trouble applying it's probably due to the scammers.

"I couldn't figure it out and they are now onto it."

Gradzki said the scammers had used his address multiple times to steal the money.

"It's makes you feel numb, you can't understand it. There are better things to see here that has been happening," he said.

"We are still coming to terms with it."

A Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) spokesperson said reports of people making fraudulent applications for emergency payments was "incredibly disappointing".

The spokesperson said the DFFH was aware of a small number of suspected fraudulent relief payment applications being made.

"We refer every suspected fraudulent claim directly to Victoria Police," the spokesperson said.

READ MORE: Exhausted wallaby rescued by emergency services from floodwaters

Looting arrests

One man has been charged and another is expected to be charged over the alleged looting of a flood-affected home in Maribyrnong earlier this week.

A 26-year-old Sunshine West man has since been charged with 12 offences including burglary, obtaining property by deception, and handling stolen goods.

A 33-year-old Sunshine West man is expected to be charged on summons with deception offences.

Police believe one of the men entered an unoccupied home and stole several personal items before fleeing in a blue Ford Territory.

It is understood two other men remained in the vehicle during the incident.

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BoM backflips on name change after criticism of $220k rebrand

After backlash over the massive cost of the Bureau of Meteorology's $220,000 rebrand and name change, the agency now says people can refer to the body "in any way they wish".

Earlier in the week, the agency formally requested media no longer use the acronym the "BoM", instead asking that outlets change their style guides to "support" the bureau by "referencing them by their full name".

It was then revealed the full cost of the rebranding exercise – commissioned under the former federal Liberal government – was in excess of $220,000.

READ MORE: Four states staring down the barrel of another floods crisis

But speaking to 2GB, a spokesperson for the bureau now says "the Bureau has not rebranded", instead citing a "brand refresh".

"Using our full name reflects the correct title of the agency," the spokesperson said.

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"As part of the Bureau's brand refresh, the Bureau sought support from media outlets to refer to us as the Bureau of Meteorology as it underscores our position as the national authority for reliable, accurate and trusted weather, water, climate and oceans information.

"The community is welcome to refer to the Bureau in any way they wish, including referring to us as the 'BoM'.

"It is up to individual media outlets to determine their style guidelines."

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https://omny.fm/shows/afternoons-with-deborah-knight/boms-220-000-backflip-apparently-now-you-can-call/embed?style=Cover

Asked why a rebrand was necessary, especially during a time of flood emergency, the spokesperson insisted that hadn't actually happened.

"The Bureau has not rebranded," the spokesperson said.

"With an ever-increasing number of severe weather events, it is more crucial than ever that the Bureau of Meteorology's data, information, knowledge and insights are received, understood and acted upon by members of the Australian community."

Figures from Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's office state the total cost of the "brand refresh" was $220,296.

Of that, $118, 177 was spent on brand strategy and design, $69,300 went towards communication and planning support, and the remaining $32,819 was allocated to implementation costs.

Plibersek was critical of the bureau's rebrand, saying the "focus of the BoM should be on weather, not branding".