Links to Useful Resources and Websites

Every year, scams cost Australians, businesses and the economy hundreds of millions of dollars and cause emotional harm to victims and their families.

You will find scam statistics for 2021 here. Check out the Age group category.

The best way to protect yourself is through awareness and education. The Little Black Book of Scams is brought to you by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the national consumer protection agency. The Little Black Book of Scams is recognized internationally as an important tool for consumers and small businesses to learn about scams including:

• the most common scams to watch for
• the different ways scammers can contact you
• the tools scammers use to trick you
• the warning signs
• how to protect yourself, and
• where you can find help.

The Little Black Book of Scams is available online at www.accc.gov.au/littleblackbookofscams

This publication is available using ReadSpeaker.

Protect yourself – sign up to Scamwatch

To stay one step ahead of scammers, learn more by visiting the ACCC’s Scamwatch  website – www.scamwatchgov.au – where you can sign up for free email alerts on new scams targeting consumers and small businesses.

(Source:  ACCC, Introduction, The Little Black Book of Scams, published 2016.)

COMLINK provides community services through transport and care solutions. Comlink can assist by providing low cost transport for the aged to and from shopping, medical appointments, community and social events and can provide mobility management solutions. You can contact Comlink on 4417 1700 or visit the website

For those days when things are not quite right, you’ve got something on your mind, or things just seem too much. Whatever it may be, sharing the load with someone else can really help. So no matter who you are, or how you’re feeling, you can talk it through with Beyond Blue – they will point you in the right direction so you can seek further support.

All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential. They may ask for your first name and some general details, but you can let them know if you wish to remain anonymous.

You can ring on 1300 22 4636 or visit the website for Beyond Blue.

Beyond Blue also provide Coronavirus mental wellbeing support service. You can ring in 1800 512 348 or go online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating mental illness, creating a world where mental illness is treated with the same level of concern, immediacy and seriousness as physical illness. Black Dog can link you to a number of support services. You can ring on (02) 9382 2991 or visit the website for Black Dog.

Centrelink Older Australians provides information on Age Pension, Bereavement assistance, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioners Concession Card, Widow B pension, Wife pension, My Aged Care, managing money going into retirement. You can ring Centrelink Older Australians on 132 300 or visit the Human Services website on humanservices.gov.au

Veterans’ Affairs provides support and information to veterans and their dependants, as well as a range of other services. They are located on the 1st floor, 520 Flinders Street, West End. You can ring on 13 32 54 or visit the website on dva.gov.au.

This service provides information and education about aged care services to people for CALD backgrounds. You can ring the Townsville office on 4723 1470 or 0407 045 203 (mobile) or visit their website at Diversicare.

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website to get help.

Tools, tips and guidance to help Australians take control of their money – moneysmart.gov.au

My Community Info is as local as you are. Find service providers, clubs & groups, events, health services and volunteering opportunities.

National Seniors Association Townsville Branch lobby for older Australians, fighting hard for the rights and better outcomes for all seniors. It provides a strong national voice for older Australians – working and retired. You can contact the Townsville branch on 0407 361 305 (Mobile) or by visiting the website

This service provides allied health services to eligible elderly persons living in the community. You can ring on 4433 9568 or visit the website on townsville.health.qld.gov.au

If you are a victim of elder abuse or feel that you have been mistreated or taken advantage of financially, help is available. Senior Legal and Support Services (SLASS) provides free legal assistance, information and social work services for people over 60.

The service can assist you with:

• Legal information and advice
• Social work services
• Short-term counselling
• Advocacy on your behalf
• A referral to other legal, consumer and support services
• Representation in court or before tribunals (in certain circumstances).

You can get help by phone, appointment at a service centre or, where possible, they can visit you in your home or another safe location.

You can visit the Townsville office at Unit 2, 181 Sturt Street, Townsville or ring the office on (07) 4721 5511. You can visit the website at Community Legal Centres

The Silver Cord Telephone Reassurance Service provides vital friendship and security calls, assisting people to remain at home safely (particularly people aged over 65, or aged over 50 if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, people with ongoing medical conditions and people with a disability or their carers). You can ring on 1300 785 646 or visit their website at St John Ambulance Australia (Queensland).

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.  For information on the programme and to check eligibility, please go to https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme

Life Tec is a local service provider and receives funding through the Commonwealth Home Support Program to provide home maintenance services to those aged 65 years or over, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, and have difficulty doing everyday tasks.

To find out if you are eligible for basic home maintenance, please read the Life Tec information sheet.

The Dementia Guide is an important resource for any person impacted by any form of dementia, of any age. The Dementia Guide can help anyone learn about dementia and the treatments, support and services available.

Do not forget to explore our eLibrary!

We have you covered, check out the collection of FREE:

• audio books
• ebooks
• comic books
• movies
• documentaries and so much more

The Community Information Centre Townsville is a not-for profit community organisation funded primarily by Townsvile City Council. It is a volunteer organisation and provides information to residents, a wide range of community groups, government and non-government departments. Contact the Community Information Centre for your information needs by ringing 4727 9730 or go the website