74057

The Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has released a communication to members and partners of the need to remain vigilant in the wake of an email sent to an AALARA Board Member, purporting to be from AALARA President Ros Pullen.

In the communication, AALARA General Manager, Kristy Ahrens advises “this email is worryingly very realistic, though entirely false (and) … is not from the correct email address.”

Ahrens noted “AALARA will never send emails asking for payment into any other account other than AALARA's account ending in 6893.

“As a result of this phishing email, we have changed the AALARA24 Conference and Trade Show event listing to private so you will only be able to book tickets using the links from the website and our emails from now on. This is to reduce our exposure to these internet trawlers.”

Ahrens goes on to provide tips on staying cyber secure:

• Do not open email from people you don’t know. If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

• Be careful with links and new website addresses. Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

• Secure your personal information. Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

• Stay informed on the latest cyber threats. Keep yourself up to date on current scams. The Department of Home Affairs has some very useful information here.

• Use Strong Passwords. Strong passwords are critical to online security.

• Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs. Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

AALARA’s Conference and Trade Show is being held from 20th to 24th May the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Click here for more information on the AALARA 2024 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Lower image shows a screenshot of the email sent to an AALARA Board Member purporting to be from AALARA President Ros Pullen.

Related Articles

31st March 2024 - Small Business Ombudsman continues to highlight insurance challenges

3rd February 2024 - Football Australia reveals data breach

10th January 2024 - Perth Motorplex advises patrons to ‘beware of the scams’

24th December 2023 - Life Saving Victoria advises of cyber attack

22nd December 2023 - Small Business Ombudsman admits failure to achieve attractions industry DMF

3rd November 2023 - Bank warns consumers over ticketing scams ahead of summer of events

12th May 2023 - Raging Waters Sydney’s Ros Pullen becomes new AALARA President

8th May 2023 - AALARA 2023 Conference to focus on equity and marketing

17th March 2023 - Flash sale for AALARA 2023 conference registrations

10th February 2023 - Small Business Ombudsman continues to back AALARA’s DMF plans for the amusement and attractions industry

30th January 2023 - AALARA releases 2023 conference program

3rd August 2022 - AALARA President Shane McGrath steps down

20th June 2022 - Northern Territory Consumer Affairs issues ‘scam’ warning for Darwin Dinosaur Festival

24th May 2022 - AALARA reaffirms commitment to industry safety

18th May 2022 - Delegates welcome return of AALARA conference with enthusiasm

4th May 2022 - Fearing for the future of the amusement and attractions industry AALARA and the Showmen’s Guilds announce stop work campaign

31st January 2022 - New Zealand tourism businesses facing cybersecurity challenges

13th November 2021 - Businesses need to brace for cyber threats ahead of holiday season

22nd February 2021 - Online ticketing scams return to impact tourist attractions

11th December 2019 - Kate Palmer apologises for ‘unauthorised access’ following Sport Australia email hack

16th August 2019 - YMCA NSW locations impacted by ransomware attack

12th August 2016 - Swimming Australia website under ‘cyber attack’ after Mack Horton’s ‘drug cheat’ remarks

25th September 2013 - 500,000 Australians a year caught out by online ticket scams

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.