YMAC to hold cyber security awareness clinics with IDCARE throughout Mid West Gascoyne during July

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation will be hosting free cyber resilience outreach clinics in Meekatharra, Yule River and Carnarvon this month. The project is a collaboration with IDCARE, a not-for-profit Australian charity offering identity and cyber security support. The organisation found people living in remote and regional communities are three times more likely to be impacted by cybercrime and scams than their city counterparts, as well as experiencing higher financial loss. IDCARE program manager Sarah Cavanagh said the clinics would also provide resources on staying safe from scams and give practical steps to navigate the online world safely. “There is a range of identity and cyber security concerns people should be aware of, including identity theft, remote access to devices, hacking, phishing, telephone scams, relationship scams, investment scams, data breaches, ransomware, and lost or stolen credentials,” she said. YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins said the free clinics would provide valuable information to first nations people regarding high-tech, deceptive and persuasive tricks used by cybercriminals. In 2022, a record 1203 West Australians reported total scam losses of almost $16 million to ScamNet – a $1.2 million increase from the 1041 losses reported in 2021 and a $4.2million increase from 952 losses reported in 2020. The clinics will be held at the Community Resource Centre in Meekatharra on July 11 between 9.30am and 11.30am, at the annual on-country bush meeting at Yule River on July 13 between 9am and 3pm, and outside YMAC’s office in Carnarvon on July 18 between 9am and 11.30am.