35 results, showing 1 to 10
![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.
![Unusual payment scam victims](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/unusual-payment-scam-800x400.jpg?itok=wqElZhRL)
Scamwatch is warning people to be aware of uninvited offers of help to recover money for an up-front payment, following a spike in reports of money recovery scams.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Last year scammers stole close to $34 million collectively from people who identified as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability, and Indigenous Australians.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Payment redirection scams were the most financially damaging scams for Australian businesses in 2020 according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Australians lost over $851 million to scams in 2020, a record amount, as scammers took advantage of the pandemic to con unsuspecting people, according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report released today.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/merry%20christmas_0.jpg?itok=2ylIG5_p)
Losses to online shopping scams have increased 42 per cent this year, and Scamwatch is warning Australians to be careful when buying gifts this holiday season.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/Handcuffs.jpg?itok=rBkgOPHv)
Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat based scams so far this year, and young people are reporting the highest losses.
![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)
Australians have lost over $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams this year, an increase of 76 per cent compared to the same time last year.