We have noticed an increase in scams involving the Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Program, often starting with an email from a potential employer claiming to offer you a job in rail, and request payment to undertake training for an RIW card or RISI card.

The identified scams involve the following companies:

• GPAS HOLDINGS PTY LTD
• INDUSTRIAL COMPANY PTY LTD
• DS RAIL PTY LTD
• AATSCO QLD PTY LTD
• Ready Rail Pty Ltd
• NuGroup Rail Solutions
• Heritage Railways Co. Pty Ltd
• Vic Rails Pty Ltd
• Dywer Rail
• Alme Group Pty Ltd
• ACRUXS Rail Services
• ANX Cleaning Services
• Prime Rail Pty Ltd
• R&L Services Victoria Pty Ltd
• JL Rail Services Pty Ltd
• AXS Melbourne Limited
• SP. Transit Limited
• FX Service
• PW Rail Services

We have provided examples of the types of emails, conversations and invoices that may be used as part of this scam at the end of this article.

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How the scam typically works: 

• An email is sent by a company claiming a job has become available in rail, and a valid RIW card is required. 
• An invoice with bank details to pay a training provider is issued to you for an RIW or RISI card training course, and directions to undertake the course via Zoom or face-to-face.
• The email and conversation you have with the scammer may appear professional and legitimate and ask you to provide personal and financial information. 
• Often the scammer has sourced your contact information through a job-seeking website, where you may have marked yourself as available or looking for work.

 

If you receive an email offering work in rail and requesting payment for an RIW/RISI card or training, we recommend you contact the RIW Service Desk on info@riw.net.au to verify whether the company is registered with the RIW Program.

The only way to get a Rail Industry Worker card without an employer is by directly applying for an RIW card on the RIW website, and using our payment gateway to process this payment. A tax invoice will be provided after payment. 

 

The best way to protect yourself from being caught out by this scam is to:

• Stop and think twice if you’re being asked to act urgently or respond to an offer that seems too good to be true. 
• Notice poor spelling and grammar and inconsistent spacing between sentences and paragraphs. 
• Be suspicious of any email from someone asking for your personal or financial information.
• Never click on links or attachments in suspicious emails. 
• Do your research about the company and/or training provider. Look for legitimate websites or offices, talk to other people in the industry, check their ABN etc.  We have a list of approved Registered Training Providers on our website to reference as well.
• Contact the RIW Service Desk to check whether a training provider or employer is with the RIW Program. 

If you have been contacted in relation to a suspected scam attempt, please provide us with as much evidence as you can, such as invoices and email conversations. This will help us to report the matter to the relevant financial institution and authorities.  

If you have already paid a suspected fraudulent invoice:

• Contact your financial institution.
• Report the matter immediately to the Police in your jurisdiction. 
• Report the matter to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. 
• Contact IDCare at https://www.idcare.org/ if you have provided personal details.

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Article link: 

https://support.riw.net.au/support/solutions/articles/51000331273

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