Scammers use pressure, trust and familiar situations
Scammers are using increasingly convincing tactics to steal money and personal information from Australians, often creating situations that appear familiar, urgent or trustworthy.
During Scams Awareness Week, Australians are being encouraged to recognise the tactics scammers use and remember 3 simple steps when something doesn’t seem right: Stop. Check. Protect.
Scammers often rely on pressure, trust and emotion. A scam might begin with a professional looking website, an email that appears to come from a trusted organisation, an unexpected phone call, a payment request that seems legitimate or a message that appears to come from someone you know.
The aim is often the same: to convince you to act before you have time to question what is happening.
Scams continue to cost Australians millions
National Anti-Scam Centre data* shows that in the first half of 2026, online contact methods including websites, social media and mobile apps – accounted for the highest reported financial losses to Scamwatch. Phone calls and emails also continued to generate large numbers of scam reports.
The data further shows that buying and selling scams, which can involve fake online stores and fraudulent buyers or sellers on online marketplaces, recorded the highest number of Scamwatch reports involving financial loss. A total of 7,652 people reported losing money through these scams.
Investment scams continued to cause the greatest financial losses, with $80.4 million reported stolen during the first six months of 2026.
Cryptocurrency and bank transfers were the payment methods associated with the highest reported scam losses, with more than $50 million reported stolen through each payment method.
These figures only include reports made to Scamwatch and therefore do not represent the full impact of scams in Australia. Other scams are reported directly to police through ReportCyber or identified by banks and other service providers, while many scams are never reported at all.
Stop. Check. Protect.
Scammers can be highly sophisticated and may impersonate legitimate businesses, government agencies, banks, family members or other people and organisations you trust.
Taking a moment before responding to a request for money or personal information can make it much harder for scammers to succeed.
The National Anti-Scam Centre recommends 3 simple steps:
- Stop – take a moment before giving money or personal information to anyone. Scammers frequently create a sense of urgency and pressure people to act quickly. Don't allow yourself to be rushed into making a financial decision or providing personal details.
- Check – make sure the person or organisation you are dealing with is genuine. If someone claims to represent an organisation you know, independently find its official contact details and contact the organisation yourself. Don't rely on phone numbers, links or contact details provided in an unexpected message.
- Protect – act quickly if something feels wrong. If you believe money or sensitive information has been stolen, contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report the matter to police. You should also report scams to Scamwatch, even if you did not lose money.
Reports help authorities identify emerging scams, disrupt scam activity and warn other Australians about the tactics criminals are using.
Talking about scams is also important. Sharing experiences with family, friends and colleagues can help others recognise warning signs and makes it more difficult for scammers to use the same tactics successfully.
Scams Awareness Week is a national initiative involving government, businesses, community and consumer organisations, educational organisations and individuals working together to improve scam awareness and help Australians stay safe.
More information and reporting
For information about scams and how to protect yourself, go to:
Scamwatch – Stop. Check. Protect.
Report cybercrime to police through ReportCyber
National Anti-Scam Centre – Targeting Scams 2025 report
If you think you have been targeted by a scam, stop communicating with the scammer, contact your bank immediately if money or financial information is involved and report what happened. Acting quickly can help limit losses and protect others.
To learn more, read the following article on the National Anti-Scam Centre website.
Real stories show no one is just a number this Scams Awareness Week