Real life stories

Real scam victims have shared their experiences to help warn others about scams. In these stories we ask you to find the signs that it was a scam, and consider how similar scams could be avoided.

If you’ve only ever met online, you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself. Don’t let scammers take advantage of your better nature and steal your money.

Scams don’t just target the gullible and inexperienced. People from all walks of life can fall victim if the timing is right and the story is convincing.

You need to have a clearly defined process for verifying and paying accounts and invoices to protect your business against false billing scams.

Calls, emails and other approaches claiming that you have won an unexpected prize or a competition you did not enter are almost always scams.

Inheritance scams can be quite elaborate to convince you that a fortune awaits. Remember there are no get-rich-quick schemes: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Don’t let scammers win the ultimate lottery by gaining your personal details and money. Scammers are highly skilled at deceiving their victims, and may even impersonate someone you know.

Australians love a bet and sports betting scammers are quick to capitalise on this. They will say anything to draw you in.