Your Cybersecurity Vigilance is Important

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on first Friday of month ----

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Unfortunately, with the numerous advantages of technology comes the inevitable disadvantages, the major one of which perhaps, is scammers.

Scammers come in a variety of guises, and they adapt to innovative technology incredibly fast designing new approaches at lightning speed. So fast it's almost impossible to catch up, especially if you aren't okay with technology.

The most common media used by scammers are:

1. Phones, both landline and mobile
2. Email messages
3. Social media
4. Direct-to-door approaches

Of these, the phone callers and direct-to-door approaches are easier to identify and get rid of. You can say no or simply hang up. One way to protect your mobile phone from unwanted calls is to set up the "silenced calls" feature (on iPhone, but not sure about other brands). When someone calls you and they aren't in your contacts list, the caller has an option of leaving a message.

With most scam calls that are carried out with random number generating software, you won't receive a message. Anyone who really wants your attention can leave a message.

You also have the option of placing your phone and mobile phone number(s) on the Do Not Call Register. Unfortunately, only ethical, legitimate organisations and individuals bother to access the DNC register and it doesn't apply to overseas scammers, so it's far from foolproof. 

Don't forget that you also have the option to block numbers on a mobile phone.

Social media can be tricky when people advertise products that don't arrive and capture your credit card or other EFT details, your name and address etc. They also ask people to subscribe to different activities and just want your personal details. 

The best thing is to ask yourself, "why do they need this information?" and if it seems dubious, don't provide it. For example, if you sign up for a newsletter, is it realistic for someone to want your date of birth or gender? Or to know your physical address to send an online newsletter?

The key indicators of dodgy email messages are sub-standard language, URL addresses that aren't clearly those of an organization, requests to transfer money to your account and other nonsense. One that has caught hundreds of people in Australia is the "Mum, I've lost my phone and need money" scam. Read the image above and you'll see what I mean.

The rule to follow is: If it looks like a scam it probably is. If in doubt, don't click anything and don't provide any details.

The Australian Government's Scamwatch site provides helpful information about scams that is worth reading occasionally to keep ahead of the pack.

We hope you've found this useful as our age group seems more susceptible to losing money and identity fraud than younger generations.

Mourning the Passing of Our Patron Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

It's a sad time for all of us who admired, respected and loved Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

We invite you to read RSL Australia President Greg Melick's press release here.

 

Today is Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on first Friday of month ----

Today is Victory in the Pacific Day, the day in which we commemorate the end of World War II and give our thanks to WW II veterans.

On 15 August 1945, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies, bringing the Second World War to an end. 

After six years of war and over 45,000 killed in service or as prisoners of war, Australians rejoiced. They celebrated with church services, gala concerts, and parades. Over 200,000 Australians serving overseas began to return home, as well as thousands who had been prisoners of war, reuniting families.

General Sir Thomas Blamey represented Australia at the ceremony while a dozen Royal Australian Navy ships were among those gathered in the bay.

Lest we forget.

Acknowledgement: Photograph is from Australian War Museum

Military Brotherhood Group Visits

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on first Friday of month ----

Our sub-branch was pleased to have a visit from a group of the Military Brotherhood Military Motorcycle Club (MBMMC) (Hills Murraylands Sub-Branch) members last Sunday.

Committee member, Marcus Beckett was approached by a member of the club and subsequently arranged this visit which included a barbecue and presentation from the group about its activities in helping veterans and their families with household chores. The club also has advocacy and counselling capacity.

The MBMMC is for serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, Commonwealth and Allied forces, their families, friends and their supporter base. The MBMMC is open to both male and female members, whether service members or supporters and you don't have to own a motorcycle.

During the presentation, members, "Polly" and "Quey" told us that they are well equipped with resources including a log splitter and work tools they transport in a trailer so they can do helpful odd-jobs for people who need help with their home maintenance. This could include tree-trimming, gutter cleaning, wood stacking, and a variety of other jobs.

They work only on weekends and would attend Tanunda on maybe two occasions during the year as they travel to many other locations in South Australia where they provide similar support.

President Trevor suggested that before the team members attended Tanunda, we could canvass members to determine who needed help and what they required. 

You can read more about the MBMMC at the DVA site here or at the MBMMC site here.