6 results, showing 1 to 6
![Image of hand holding phone amidst cyber graphical treatment](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/2022-09/Phone_tech.jpg?itok=EoLt7KxM)
Scamwatch is urgently warning Australians to be on the lookout for increased scam activity following the recent Optus data breach and to take steps to protect themselves.
![Woman's hands texting](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/2022-08/Hi%20Mum%20scam.jpg?itok=H6sa030Q)
Scamwatch is urging the public to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in “Hi Mum” scams in recent months.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/related-article/Scam33_0.jpg?itok=5791e9aY)
The financial and emotional devastation caused by scams every year in Australia can be reduced if government, consumer groups and the private sector work together.
![two women's trying to make an online payment on their laptop](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/unusual-payment-scam-thumb.jpg?itok=MKza5OET)
Australian businesses lost $227 million to payment redirection scams in 2021, a 77 per cent increase compared to 2020, the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report reveals.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/related-article/false-billing-phone-scam-2_1.jpg?itok=fyZ-wGQt)
Scammers stole over $66 million last year from Indigenous Australians, people who identified as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and people with disability
![A couple browsing on their laptop while on a phone call](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/online-shopping2-thumb.jpg?itok=xTcxv3Qp)
Australians lost a record amount to scams in 2021, despite government, law enforcement, and the private sector disrupting more scam activity than ever before.