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![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.
![](/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/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.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/Scams_Awareness_Week_360x272.png?itok=JRviIdyH)
The ACCC has launched a podcast series for this year’s National Scams Awareness Week to provide Australians with tips on how to protect their personal and financial details from scammers.
![](/sites/www.scamwatch.gov.au/files/styles/scamwatch_news/public/featured/1531-Scamwatch-Targeting-Scams-Report-THM_1.png?itok=zLnq7f6s)
Data from the ACCC’s annual Targeting Scams report, released this week, indicates scammers don’t discriminate and are targeting a range of different communities in Australia.