Australian theatre actress Christine Whelan Browne is warning others of an insurance company scam after losing her car and being told to pay $10,500.
The 44-year-old was caught up in the fleece when her car was rammed and she tried to follow up on her claim with AAMI.
Australian theatre actress Christine Whelan Browne is warning others of an insurance company scam after losing her car and being told to pay $10,500. Christine Whelan Browne
“As it now turns out, these scammers had put their phone number under AAMI claim support,” she said in a social media video.
“I called this number and they were like, ‘Oh yeah, we’ll bring you a replacement car within half an hour’.
“Before I knew it, someone had come and given me a car and taken my car.”
Browne said she contacted the insurance company again and was told they had never organised the replacement car.
Ringing the number again, the scammers told her that she would need to pay $10,500 worth of damage to her car to get it back.
“So I’ve got this car that they gave me I’m driving around in, and they’ve got my car, and they won’t give it back,” Browne said.
AAMI is investigating what has happened and is working with Browne to get her car back.
“We are urgently investigating what has happened to Ms Whelan-Browne and will work with her to provide assistance, including legal support to help her get her car back,” an AAMI spokesperson said.
“Once we have her car we can begin repairs.
“We encourage any of our customers who suspect they are a victim of a scam to contact us immediately.”
Nine.com.au understands Browne received an ad for a scam website when she searched AAMI’s claim number on Google.
AAMI is aware that some companies impersonate it and customers believe they are contacting their insurer.
The company takes legal action and works with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to target these scams.
It also works with Google to respond to misleading and deceptive advertising.
ASIC has removed more than 25,000 scam and phishing websites since 2023 and encourages customers to verify businesses before handing over personal or financial information.
“Scammers continue to use fake and impersonation websites to target Australians and can mimic trusted businesses and brands to appear legitimate,” an ASIC spokesperson said.
“ASIC coordinates the removal of investment scam and phishing websites through its website takedown capability and works with specialist cybercrime detection providers to identify and disrupt harmful online activity.”