Scamwatch reports 2,000 COVID19 scams with losses now more than $700,000. This is only the reported figure with unreported figures accounted for.

There has been also a spike in ‘puppy scams’ during coronavirus lockdown reaching $360,000. “A lot of people are stuck at home and going online to buy a pet to help them get through the loneliness of social isolation,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. “Unfortunately the rush to get a new pet and the unusual circumstances of COVID-19 makes it harder to work out what’s real or a scam.”

COVID-19 has been a hot bed for fraudulent activity with scammers targeting those in search of a furry companion reports 9News.

Don’t get done by those puppy eyes…
For more information, visit ACCC’s report.

Gobbill is a partner of StaySmartOnline since 2015, a cybersafety initiative of ACCC Consumer Rights.

Photo of Gabi, Gobbill user.

Setting goals and being in control of her finances has helped Gabi build wealth and achieve greater financial independence. We asked Gabi to sit down and answer a few simple questions in order to share her experiences and insights with others.

• Who has influenced you the most about money management? 

Definitely Robert Kiyosaki through his book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”- he taught me the importance of assets and investments for passive income. Also, Tony Robbins – his personal development series taught me a lot about discipline and goal setting which I then applied to saving and investing.

• How would you describe your relationship with money?

I think a little controlling! My family didn’t have a lot of money growing up so the need to have savings has always been a high priority for me.

• How has your relationship with money changed over the years?

I have actually become more relaxed about it, and now enjoy spending it much more than I used to! I think it is important to save for the future, but also enjoy the fruits of your labour in the present. You need a good balance.

• What advice would you give others? i.e. women wanting to better at managing money…

Absolutely do a budget, and separate your money – the Barefoot Investor has a great ‘bucket’ method for this, where you separate money for essentials, luxuries, and savings into different accounts. It gives incredible peace of mind and no ‘savings shock’ at the end of the month (which is what I call it when you’ve spent more than you thought in a month and eaten into your savings). Also invest in some assets, no matter how small an amount you can manage – you can start with some simple managed funds and work up to shares or property from there.  I also have a list of goals, with savings plans attached to them.

• What does financial wellness mean to you?

Being able to pay for whatever I need without worrying about it, but also knowing my limits and how going over these will impact my long-term financial goals.

• What are your financial goals?

Long term, to pay off our home and have a comfortable retirement. Medium term to travel and improve our house. Short term to go to my friend’s wedding in New York in 2020!

• How does using Gobbill help you manage your finances?

It’s a “set and forget” method similar to the savings buckets. I have Gobbill linked to the bank account I use for essentials, so I know that I always have enough money to pay my bills, and then Gobbill makes sure the payments are made on time. It’s pretty much an automatic system!

Find out more about how Gobbill can help you manage your bills and improve your financial well-being, contact Erica at [email protected] or call 0444 599 715.

Visit gobbill.com

Gobbill will be joining our partner AAT in this year’s Roadshow.

We’ll be covering the topic of “Reducing the burden of compliance using technology to scale and grow. “

Other key topics covered are:

• myGovID – Your passport to Government services
• Expanding opportunities and revenue
• Delivering advisory services with technology
• Office 365 for bookkeepers
• Staying on top of your game
• Superannuation changes

February
Perth Fri 14th
Sydney Mon 17th
Melbourne Thu & Fri 21st
Brisbane Mon 24th

Register with AAT

If you’d like to catch up with our Gobbill staff at various locations, please contact [email protected]

What’s the fuss about cryptocurrencies?

Within a week, there have been a number of articles based on various reports from APRA and RBA on the topic of cryptocurrencies (or digital currencies and coins).

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that APRA could oversee Facebook’s controversial cryptocurrency play Libra.

The Australian says that RBA looking at potential Aussie cryptocurrency for faster payments.

So what’s all the fuss about cryptocurrencies? Now’s the best time to find out more.

Gobbill and Cointree have teamed up to provide a getting started guide to coins.

With your coins, try paying your bills this month with our promotion.

• Fee FREE. Bill payment with coins will be transaction fee free. Normally there is a % charge of the bill value.*
• Get $10 dollars. Receive $10 worth of coins when you sign-up for a new account and purchase coins.*

*See conditions.

For further details, refer to Cointree Pay your bills with crypto

About Cointree

Cointree is a digital currency exchange here to make cryptocurrency easy for everyone. Founded in Melbourne in 2013, we service over 60,000 members and have processed over $100 million in successful transactions. We are an Australian Blockchain Industry Awards 2019 finalist for best digital currency exchange and members of Blockchain Australia. Cointree is on a mission to educate and excite Australians about digital currencies, providing all the vital tools to buy, sell, pay bills, exchange, and grow their investment portfolios.

Cointree is a registered digital currency exchange with AUSTRAC (the Australian Government regulatory and monitoring body for AML/CTF) and a partner of the not-for-profit Blockchain Centre.

See conditions.

Getting healthier, giving up a bad habit, or spending more time doing the things you love are all great New Year’s resolutions.

But what about your finances? Here are a few of our top tips:

#1: Build an emergency fund
Try setting aside a small amount on a regular basis to help you manage any emergency expenses and reduce the risk of needing to borrow or access credit. An emergency fund can give you peace of mind, and is one of the best steps you can take towards financial wellness.

#2: Reduce interest charges
Credit cards and installment plans can offer great rewards and flexibility when used well, but if you’re not careful the repayments and interest can add up. If you are paying interest, consider rolling any small debts into one and consolidating them in a single account. Some credit providers offer interest free periods on balance transfers which can help you catch up. 

#3: Make a budget
Setting a budget (and sticking to it) is a great way to relieve financial stress. The first step to making a realistic budget is understanding your income and your expenses. When it comes to expenses, Gobbill can help.
Gobbill automatically summarises, categories and digitises your expenses, so you can keep track of what you are spending each month on household bills. You can also use Gobbill to digitise receipts for other expenses, just be careful not to exceed the document quota on your plan or additional fees may apply. 

#4: Make sure you’re on the best deal
Understanding your bills can also help you make sure that you’re still on a good deal. If your rates are no longer competitive, it can pay to spend a few hours shopping around, it may take a few hours but the saving you could make a real difference over the course of the year. Gobbill stores copies of all your previous bills in one place, so it’s easy to see what you’re paying

#5: Automate your payments
This is another great way Gobbill can help you maximise control over your finances, with minimal effort!
Gobbill can save you time paying bills by automating the payment process, and protecting you from fraud. When bills are paid through Gobbill we check every invoice to ensure it is not fraudulent, and you retain control over your payment methods. There’s no need to contact all your providers one by one if you get a new card or bank account, simply log in to Gobbill and update them all at once! Using Gobbill is a great way to save time and take the stress out of accounts payable, whilst knowing you are staying protected from fraud.

Contact us to find out how we can help.

Email [email protected]

After $1 million was siphoned off their company’s accounts and their bookkeeper charged with 250 counts of fraud, a Brisbane couple wants banks to be more accountable for electronic fund transfer (EFT) fraud.

Their bookkeeper has been charged with 250 counts of fraud and fraud-related offences in relation to the missing money, and accused of using electronic funds transfer fraud.

“We thought that our money was safe, we thought our lives were safe — but it’s destroyed us,” Ms Saggers said.

Detective Inspector Vince Byrnes warns EFT fraud can have a “devastating” impact on people.

Banks in Australia don’t have to cross-check account names against account numbers in EFT transactions.

Reducing the risk of fraud and ‘segregation of duties’ is important even with micro and small businesses. That’s why Gobbill in the mix would help small business owners, bookkeepers and accountants prevent fraud and other potential cyber-related crimes.

Sign up for a Business Plan or our Partner Program if you’re a bookkeeper/accountant.

Read more at ABC News. 

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Gobbill have partnered to provide bookkeepers with cutting-edge technology that helps combat invoice fraud while automating the accounts payable process. Accounting Technician asked Gobbill all about the partnership in the latest edition of Accounting Technician March 2019

Automation technology in the hands of accounting technicians will make the greatest difference in reducing the risk of invoice fraud. Gobbill provides top five tips to avoid bill scams in the article.

Gobbill was also invited to present to the Victorian Accounting Teachers Network 10th May 2019 to raise awareness of increasing fraud impacting small businesses and how new automation technologies such as Gobbill can help combat it.

Source: AAT Accounting Technician