Scam Week 2022

07 November 2022

Scams Awareness Week 2022 takes place 7-11 November.

Know the signs

Learn to identify key scam signs and protect yourself. If you spot any of the following signs - stop to check whether an offer or communication is real:

  • Something urging you to act quickly.
  • A caller threatening you for immediate payment.
  • Messages and emails asking you to click on links or open attachments.
  • Someone asking for your passwords, or personal and financial details.
  • Offers that sound too good to be true.
  • A caller asking to remotely access your computer.
  • Requests for payment via unsecure or unusual methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards or bank transfer.
  • Requests asking for payment to a new bank account.
  • Unsolicited offers of financial or investment advice.
  • Offers to make fast or guaranteed money with little to no risk.

Stop and check

Be careful of links and attachments

Don’t click on or download anything you don’t trust, especially in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails.

  • If unsure, check that a communication is real by contacting the person or organisation directly using details you’ve found yourself.
  • Scammers can spoof phone numbers and emails so they appear to be sent from a genuine source. Don’t automatically trust something just because it appears in a previous conversation with a trusted source.
  • Make sure your antivirus software is up to date.

Protect your personal information

Never give personal information to a stranger. Scammers will pose as a legitimate contact to get your details to hack your accounts or steal your identity:

  • Anyone asking for your passwords or access to your device is likely a scammer.
  • For added security enable two-factor authentication on your accounts where possible.
  • Use strong passphrases for your online accounts and protect your network and devices with antivirus software.

Be careful with payments

Use secure payment methods such as credit card.

  • If a known contact claims they have a “new” bank account, phone number or other details, call the person to confirm using a trusted number you’ve used before.
  • When making a large payment to a new recipient, or recipient who claims to have changed their bank account, always call to confirm their bank details using a number found on their website or that you have used before.

Verify before you buy

If you’re buying something on a site or through a seller you haven't used before, do your research first.

  • Look for the sellers’ terms and conditions, ABN, and physical address. The company’s address should have a street name, not just a post office box.
  • Search a seller or business name and details online for independent reviews.
  • Don’t rely on seeing a padlock in the address bar of your browser - this doesn’t guarantee you’re buying from a real company.

Remember

  • Scammers can pretend to be anyone online, including the government or your bank so you can never be entirely sure who you are dealing with when you’re contacted out of the blue.

Research any opportunity that’s too good to be true

Be wary of anyone that claims you can make easy, fast or guaranteed money.

  • Seek professional advice from a registered financial advisor and check they’re registered on the ASIC website.
  • Do your research before making any decisions and check Moneysmart and Scamwatch for information on investment scams.