Warning signs to help you identify if you've encountered a scam.
Learn how to spot and avoid scams
Act straight away to limit the damage
News and alerts
Criminals are emailing people and falsely claiming they have hacked into their computers or webcams and have access to compromising images and videos of them.
They include personal details such as birth dates and addresses in the emails to intimidate people into sending them money.
Criminals are impersonating charities and offering fake financial assistance schemes to target people experiencing financial hardship.
Criminals are pretending to offer loans from these charities. They may also impersonate government agencies and programs or other charities.
There's a rise in criminals calling, emailing or messaging people and pretending to be from the bank so that they can steal your money.
They often claim to be from the bank’s fraud department and then ask for personal or financial information.
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STOP
Don’t give money or personal details or click on any links if you’re unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.
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CHECK
Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust – like myGov, your bank, the police or government. If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check.
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REPORT
The more we talk, the less power they have. Report scams to us when you see them.
Scamwatch is led by the National Anti-Scam Centre. The National Anti-Scam Centre:
- helps people spot and avoid scams
- makes it easier to report scams
- improves information sharing to disrupt scammers
- works across government and with industry
- supports law enforcement
Find out more about how to stay safe online
The OAIC investigates privacy breaches and handles data breach reports. They provide guidance and advice for consumers and business on how to protect personal information.
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