Scam awareness week: how to avoid being scammed
Scams you should look out for
Did you know that in 2021 there were over 286,600 reports to Scamwatch and Australians reported losses of around $324 million? Also, around a third of people who are scammed tell no one, so in reality, those numbers are probably much higher.
Unfortunately, scammers are finding new and more sophisticated ways to catch people out. Sometimes it's difficult to work out if something is a scam or whether it’s truly genuine.
7-11 November is Scam Awareness Week and we’re going to run through some clues of what to look out for and who you should report a scam to.
What is a scam?
A scam is any sort of dishonest scheme that is trying to take something from you. Usually, scammers are after money and often try to make you trust them so you don’t realise that they’re not who they say they are.
They can show trust in many ways – they can use professional logos or brands that look like they come from a business you know. They may have researched your social media profiles, so it seems like they know you or they might pretend to be a friend or family member who you trust.
Scammers often prey on vulnerable people. Unfortunately, in 2021, people over 65 reported the most scams and also lost the most money.
What are some common scams?
There are almost countless types of scams and new ones are being invented all the time. According to Scamwatch, here are some of the most common scams.
Phishing
Phishing scams are when scammers try to trick you into giving them personal information. They do this by pretending to be a large organisation you trust, like a bank or insurance company.
What to look out for: They might send you an email, SMS or message from a social media platform. Often, they contain a link where you are asked to put in your confidential details like personal information, your bank account details or credit card number.
Threats to life, arrest or other
Threatening scams are when someone pretends to be from a government agency, such as the Australian Federal Police or the Australian Tax Office. They often say you owe money for something like an unpaid fine or tax bill and threaten you with arrest if you don’t pay it immediately. They will often target vulnerable people like migrants or the elderly.
What to look out for: They use threatening language to scare you into urgently handing over money without giving you time to find out more information. If the scam is over email, they might ask you to download a ‘bill’ or ‘delivery details’ which will then download harmful malware on your computer or phone.
Online shopping scams
There are many great online shopping websites, but there are some fake retailer sites. They often look like real online stores with sophisticated design, a com.au website address and stolen logos of recognisable brands.
What to look out for: the price is too good to be true and they ask you to pay via electronic funds transfer or a wire service. They may not have contact details, a privacy policy or terms and conditions on their website.
Remote access scams
A scammer might call you and pretend to be from a technical support provider or from a large telecommunications or computer company. They might tell you your computer has a virus or will claim your broadband has been hacked. They will ask for remote access to your computer to ‘fix’ the problem.
What to look out for: someone calling out of the blue to tell you your computer is having issues. They may be very persistent and may ask for your credit card details.
Hacking scams
Hacking scams are when a scammer uses technology to break into your computer or mobile device to steal personal information. For example, you may have clicked on a link that has installed malware onto your computer which allows scammers to access your files, install programs without your knowledge and hold your computer to ransom. They can then change your passwords and use your personal information for criminal activities.
What to look out for: Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or messages, unless they’re from someone you know and trust. Make sure you have antivirus software installed on your computer and run a scan if you think you might have clicked on something or if you think your computer security has been compromised.
Classified scams
If you’re buying or selling online, be aware of scammers who are posing as genuine buyers or sellers. Classified scammers may pose as a seller and use fake photos and details for products including rental properties or accommodation, pets, used cars, boats, bikes, caravans and even a horse. They will ask for money in advance but won’t deliver the goods or keys to the property.
If you’re selling something, you might come across a fake buyer who might make up a story about needing your help to pay an agent or transportation costs. They will say they’ll pay you back, but never will.
What to look out for: The buyer or seller is overseas or far away and can’t show you the item for sale or doesn’t want to inspect the item you’re selling.
Dating and romance scams
Dating and romance scams can start through dating websites, social media or email. They might make contact and use fake online profiles to lure you in and create a connection with you.
What to look out for: These scammers will often profess their love to you very early on and share lots of personal details about themselves. They will often be from a western country but will claim to be living or working overseas. They will gain your trust, then will ask for your money or your credit card details. They may say they’re coming to visit but can’t afford it so ask you to pay.
Other scams to be aware of include:
How can you work out if something is a scam?
Before you click on a link or buy online, there are some things you should do to check if it’s a scam.
- Be alert and be aware that scams exist. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Look on the Scam Watch website to see if what you’re reading or seeing looks familiar.
- Don’t click on suspicious links from people or organisations you don’t know.
- If you’re shopping online, try to find out if there are reviews from the website from genuine customers. The Product Review website is a good place to start.
- Beware of any unusual requests for money or credit card details.
You can also learn more about scams at the Be Connected website.
What should I do if I’m scammed?
Firstly, report the scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. If you believe your identity has been stolen, you can get support from IDCare, a free government-funded service which will help you create a plan for your specific situation.
If you’ve given money to a scammer, it’s unlikely that you’ll get it back, but it’s important to stop sending money immediately. If you’ve given them your bank account or credit card details, contact your financial institution immediately.
Depending on the type of scam, you may need to change your passwords, do a virus scan on your computer and contact your friends and family to let them know that someone has some of your personal information.
You could also talk to your Five Good Friends Helper about how to access these services and ways we can work together to make sure you’re safe online.
Please get in touch with us at Five Good Friends on 1300 787 581 to find out how we can support you.
