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Non-Tech : Auric Goldfinger's Short List
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To: afrayem onigwecher who wrote (11615)5/15/2003 11:13:25 AM
From: StockDung  Read Replies (1) of 19428
 
Australia warns of SARS fax survey scam

SYDNEY, May 15 (Reuters) - Australian authorities have warned people not to fall for a faxed survey asking how the SARS virus has affected their travel plans as the questionnaire is just a costly scam.

Consumer protection officials in Western Australia state said on Thursday the survey claimed to be from the tourism industry. But anyone who filled it in and sent it back to the 190-prefixed fax number would end up paying A$4.95 ($3.20) a minute.

"190 fax services are notoriously slow and we have had reports of people receiving an account for A$100 for a single fax message when they answered one of these surveys," consumer protection commissioner Patrick Walker said in a public bulletin.

The survey, titled "Australia Needs Your Help -- SARS Research Questionnaire," asks if people have changed their travel plans, whether they are confused by media reports about the virus and "do you think the SARS virus could be deliberately manmade?"

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) first emerged in southern China late last year and has since killed nearly 600 people and infected more than 7,500 in 30 countries. It has ravaged Asia's travel industry.

Australia, famed for its beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and outback, is also taking a severe knock as tourists delay their travel plans. Australia has reported six probable SARS cases.

($-A$1.54)


05/14/03 23:11 ET
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