Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed by following our tips. Documents such as flight itineraries and bank statements have simple, uncomplicated layouts even when they are legitimate because such businesses allow their customers to print online statements. This means that scammers can easily create fake documents by using information available online such as company logos and graphics from websites.
Clues for spotting a fake email
Clues for spotting a fake email icon
Clues for spotting a fake email
Scammers can easily fake an official-looking email, using the same logo and design as the real company.
Often your guard is down when you receive an email from a company you've dealt with before, such as Australia Post or an online shopping site you use. If you're not expecting an email, always be alert to a fake before clicking on any links or opening any attachments.
Clues for spotting a fake dating profile
When looking at a new dating profile, note anything unusual about their choice of:
Clues for spotting fake profiles icon
Clues for spotting fake profiles
photo
location
interests
language skills matched to background.
Scammers often use fake photos they’ve found online.
Tip: Do an image search of your admirer to help determine if they really are who they say they are. You can use image search services such as Google or TinEye.
Follow up scams
Scammers will often try to take advantage when you’re feeling vulnerable and try to extract more money from you through a follow up scam.
Some common follow up scams include:
offers from a law enforcement agency to investigate your scam and retrieve your money for a fee. Law enforcement agencies do not charge for their services
a doctor calling you to alert you that the scammer urgently needs medical bills to be paid or they might die
a woman contacting you to explain she is the scammer’s wife and wants to escape him but needs money to do so.
These are only a few of the follow up approaches scammers may use try to get more money from you. New approaches could be quite different from the original scam and could come quickly or some time later. Scammers may have passed your details to other scammers who use entirely different methods and the new approach may seem totally unrelated to the original scam.
Scams target everyone
Scams target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia. There's no one group of people who are more likely to become a victim of a scam, all of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time.
Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you’re not expecting it. Scammers are getting smarter and taking advantage of new technology, new products or services and major events to create believable stories that will convince you to give them your money or personal details.
Protect yourself
Be alert to the fact that scams exist. When dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it's over the phone, by mail, email, in person or on a social networking site, always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Know who you're dealing with. If you've only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, take some time to do a bit more research. Do a Google image search on photos or search the internet for others who may have had dealings with them. If a message or email comes from a friend and it seems unusual or out of character for them, contact your friend directly to check that it was really them that sent it.
Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or click on links or attachments in emails – delete them: If unsure, verify the identity of the contact through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Don't use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.
Don't respond to phone calls about your computer asking for remote access – hang up – even if they mention a well-known company such as Telstra. Scammers will often ask you to turn on your computer to fix a problem or install a free upgrade, which is actually a virus which will give them your passwords and personal details.
Keep your personal details secure. Put a lock on your mailbox and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing them out. Keep your passwords and pin numbers in a safe place. Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social media sites. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with a scam.
Keep your mobile devices and computers secure. Always use password protection, don’t share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your WiFi network with a password and avoid using public computers or WiFi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.
Choose your passwords carefully. Choose passwords that would be difficult for others to guess and update them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account/profile, and don’t share your passwords with anyone.
Review your privacy and security settings on social media. If you use social networking sites, such as Facebook, be careful who you connect with and learn how to use your privacy and security settings to ensure you stay safe. If you recognise suspicious behaviour, clicked on spam or have been scammed online, take steps to secure your account and be sure to report it.
More information on how to protect yourself when using social media is available at the Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner's website. (link is external)
Beware of any requests for your details or money. Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust. Don't agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offence.
Be wary of unusual payment requests. Scammers will often ask you to use an unusual payment method, including preloaded debit cards, gift cards, iTunes cards or virtual currency such as Bitcoin.
Be careful when shopping online. Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, and always use an online shopping service that you know and trust. Think twice before using virtual currencies (like Bitcoin) - they do not have the same protections as other transaction methods, which means you can’t get your money back once you send it. Learn more about online shopping scams.
How to spot a fake
Clues for spotting a fake document
Clues for spotting fake documents icon
Clues for spotting fake documents
Documents are easily faked. Some will look just like the real thing but others might have warning signs, such as:
generic rather than personal greeting
names of organisations that don't exist
poorer quality presentation
poorer quality grammar and spelling
overly official or forced language.
Documents such as flight itineraries and bank statements have simple, uncomplicated layouts even when they are legitimate because such businesses allow their customers to print online statements. This means that scammers can easily create fake documents by using information available online such as company logos and graphics from websites.
Clues for spotting a fake email
Clues for spotting a fake email icon
Clues for spotting a fake email
Scammers can easily fake an official-looking email, using the same logo and design as the real company.
Often your guard is down when you receive an email from a company you've dealt with before, such as Australia Post or an online shopping site you use. If you're not expecting an email, always be alert to a fake before clicking on any links or opening any attachments.
Clues for spotting a fake dating profile
When looking at a new dating profile, note anything unusual about their choice of:
Clues for spotting fake profiles icon
Clues for spotting fake profiles
location
interests
language skills matched to background.
Scammers often use fake photos they’ve found online.
Tip: Do an image search of your admirer to help determine if they really are who they say they are. You can use image search services such as Google or TinEye.
Follow up scams
Scammers will often try to take advantage when you’re feeling vulnerable and try to extract more money from you through a follow up scam.
Some common follow up scams include:
offers from a law enforcement agency to investigate your scam and retrieve your money for a fee. Law enforcement agencies do not charge for their services
a doctor calling you to alert you that the scammer urgently needs medical bills to be paid or they might die
a woman contacting you to explain she is the scammer’s wife and wants to escape him but needs money to do so.
These are only a few of the follow up approaches scammers may use try to get more money from you. New approaches could be quite different from the original scam and could come quickly or some time later. Scammers may have passed your details to other scammers who use entirely different methods and the new approach may seem totally unrelated to the original scam.
Door-to-door scams
Fake Green Deal sales You answer your door to be told you are entitled to £10,000 of funding for Green Deal home improvements, such as insulation or a new boiler. You are then asked to pay an administration fee.
Unnecessary damp proofing You are offered a free damp proofing survey. The surveyor always finds damp which needs urgent attention, quotes a high price and requests an immediate deposit.
Home maintenance services A trader offers you a cheap quote to pave your patio or driveway, carry out home maintenance or gardening services, or repair "unsafe" roof tiles. They demand an upfront cash payment to start or finish the job – then scarper with the money or make unreasonable charges for botched work.
Food sales Someone offers to sell you (inedible) fresh or frozen fish very cheaply, but only if you are prepared to pay £100s for several boxes, sight unseen.
Fake energy-saving gadgets You are offered a plug-in gadget at a "sale price" of £99, which the seller claims will cut your electricity use by 40%.
'Too good to be true' scams
Fake dates You join a dating website and are contacted by an extremely good looking potential date who lives abroad. After starting an online romance the scammer asks for money for emergency bills.
Council tax refunds You are told by a cold-caller that you are owed a rebate on your council tax bill or are overpaying because your property is in the wrong tax band. You are then asked to hand over your bank or credit card details so your money can be refunded.
Council tax discount You are told that if you start paying by direct debit you will get a discount – but first you need to pay an administration fee.
Dodgy job website You register your CV at a job site and quickly get a call or email from an employment agency guaranteeing you a job, but only if you first pay a fee.
Bogus pay cheque You are called or sent an email from someone who wants to give you a job, and offered a cheque in advance of your first payday. Cash the cheque and you'll be told you've been overpaid and must return the money via an online transfer – before the cheque bounces.
Advertisement
Training course claim You see an advert online for a high salaried job, but are asked to pay for a training course first.
Prize scam You are called, texted or emailed and congratulated for winning a prize or even a huge lottery pot (although you can't remember buying a ticket). In order to collect your winnings you are asked to pay a processing fee or to call a premium rate phone line.
Bad investments You are cold-called and offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest your life savings, for example in carbon credits, plots of land, fine wine or exclusive stocks and shares, which are certain to make you rich. Needless to say they are not.
Loan arrangers You are called or texted by a fraudster and invited to apply for a "guaranteed loan". After you've given your personal information, including your bank details, you are told to pay an application fee.
Pension problems You receive an "urgent" phone call from "The Pensions Helpline" or your pension provider stating that you are entitled to a £1,000 pension bonus from the government, or that your pension has been underpaid. In order to receive your money you must pay a fee or give out your personal details on a premium rate line.
PPI refunds You are texted or called by someone claiming to be your bank, the Ministry of Justice, or a PPI company and told you are owed money in the form of mis-sold PPI payments – but you must pay an administration fee before the refund can be processed.
Tax back You receive an email from HMRC offering you a huge tax refund if you give your personal details online or by email.
Unhealthy sales You see an online advert for a free trial of slimming tablets or skin products. However, you unwittingly sign up for regular monthly payments which cannot be cancelled.
Noise rebatement You are called by someone claiming to be from the government and told you may be entitled to compensation because a place where you once worked has been condemned as too noisy on health grounds. You are asked to pay a fee to find out more.
Scams which prey on your fears
Missed payments You are sent a fake council tax bill or told you are in arrears, and asked to pay immediately over the phone.
Telephone debt You are called by "Her Majesty's Court" and told you have defaulted on a debt for an expensive telephone preference service. You are asked for immediate payment over the phone and warned you will be disconnected and face arrest or a court summons if you refuse to pay. If you hang up, the fraudster will stay on the line so you'll think your line has been disconnected.
Truant's fee The "Education Welfare Service" calls to tell you that your child failed to attend school that day and asks you for a £340 penalty over the phone.
Courier scams You are called on your landline by your bank and told that fraudsters have used your debit or credit card and it needs to be replaced. You call your bank, which confirms this. You are told to key in your pin number and hand over your card to a courier who will arrive soon. However, between receiving the call and dialling your bank you didn't hear a dial tone and are actually still speaking to the scammers, who never disconnected the line.
Holiday help You are sent an email from a friend or relative whose account has been hacked. You are told they are stranded abroad and need you to send them money urgently. They are not, and do not require any money.
Virus hoax You are called by "Microsoft Windows Support" and told your PC has a virus or is running slowly. The problem can be solved remotely if you give them your credit card details and/or remote access to your PC.
Medical emergency You are called and told your grandchild has been in a road accident abroad. Cries for help are screamed down the phone while the caller says you need to send money immediately to cover medical costs.
Rogue traders A police officer calls claiming criminals are trying to steal money from your bank account, and that a special "safe account" has been set up for you to transfer your savings into. You are told that clerks at your bank are under surveillance and that revealing why you are transferring the money will jeopardise covert police work.
