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Scams Awareness Week 2022 takes place 7-11 November. This Scams Awareness Week we’re encouraging you to learn ways to identify scams and take the time to check whether an offer or contact is genuine before you act on it.
![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.
![Image of elderly couple using laptop and phone](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/online-shopping2-800x400.jpg?itok=mH1-nVnI)
Losses to imposter bond investment scams have nearly tripled in the first half of this year with consumers losing over $20 million to these sophisticated scams.
![Investment scams thumbnail](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/investment-scams-thumb.jpg?itok=hFNGNdK_)
Australians lost over $205 million to scams between 1 January and 1 May, a 166 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new data from Scamwatch.
![Scams awareness week. Stop scams. Speak up.](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/2021-11/sawhome.png?itok=ZWpW0XdY)
Scams Awareness Week 2021 takes place 8-12 November. This Scams Awareness Week we’re encouraging everyone to start a conversation about scams.
![a lady on a phone call looking concerned](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/related-article/false-billing-phone-scam-2.jpg?itok=F6msfd5h)
Since August 2021, many Australians have been getting scam text messages about tracking a delivery, missed calls or voicemails, along with a link to download some software. If you receive one of these messages, do not click or tap on the link.
Australians reported a record $211 million in losses to scams so far this year, an 89 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new data from Scamwatch.
![a lady on a phone call looking concerned and hands on her forehead](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/identity-theft2-thumb.jpg?itok=GcPpYtAJ)
Police have received reports of scams involving fake Australian Federal Police (AFP) representatives targeting vulnerable members of the community.
![Investment scams thumbnail](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/type-of-scam-images/investment-scams-thumb.jpg?itok=hFNGNdK_)
Investment scams reported to Scamwatch have cost Australians over $70 million in the first half of this year, more than the total losses reported to Scamwatch for all of 2020, and projected losses are set to reach $140 million by the end of the year.