The term “white collar criminals” always sounded so fancy to me. You know? There’s something that just sounds glamourous about it. But fact of the matter is, there’s nothing glamorous about it – it’s just the same low life scam… in a pretty shirt.

Apparently Australia is seeing a surge in white collar crimes due to the world wide financial slump and their country’s recession.

It’s been reported that many unemployed computer programmers and IT experts have been teaming up with international crime gangs in attempts to steal millions from customer bank accounts.

Mason Hooper from the international cyber security firm, RSA, has commented that “when there’s a big glut of unemployed programmers on the market, we get an increase in cyber attacks” – Source.

By comparison cyber attacks have increased 50 percent since 2010. In August of 2010 it 17,9000 companies reported cyber or internet scams while this year 26,900 reported.

Companies are being mass targeted and e-mails, trojans and phishing attempts are being to sent to clients and business contacts of attacked companies.

It’s important to remember that a bank or financial institution will never request confidential security details (like passwords or PIN security numbers) via e-mail.

There is however a new scam hitting inboxes in the form of a survey. The survey is presented as market research and you are offered a small payment for completing said survey. To many this may seem enticing, especially if you’re strapped for cash and this e-mail so magically and conveniently was sent to you. To complete the survey scam you’re asked to input your bank account details so you can be “paid” for your time. However, you’re not going to get paid, you’re going to get scammed.

It’s been reported that most of the time it’s not the suspected unemployed computer programmers or IT citizens doing the actual scamming but instead they may write a program and sell it to a crime gang.

“These programmers also sell phishing kits through underground internet sites for as little as $US100. The same kit can be sold over and over again to as many people as possible” – Source.

Stay smart, readers. If something seems too good to be true, it’s probably because it is.

If you have been scammed and would like to file a scam report, please click here.