We produce a range of information and publications to help you recognise and avoid scams.
Here you’ll find our Little Book of Scams for First Nations peoples, social media posts for you to share, posters for your workplace or community centre and more.
On this page
Listen to the Goodways podcast
The NITV Goodways podcast presents a series of episodes about scams starting Tuesday 18 February. Over 4 weeks, hosts Aunty Rhoda Roberts and Shahni Wellington will chat to guests about how scams are affecting community and how to protect yourselves from them.
Episode 4 - scams and our communities
National Anti-Scam Centre General Manager and proud First Nations woman Jayde Richmond speaks about scams affecting First Nations people, how to avoid them and what to do if you or someone you know has been scammed.
Episode 3 - financial scams
Aunty Rhoda Roberts and Shahni Wellington yarn through the types of financial scams affecting our communities and how to safeguard against the attacks.
Episode 2 - let's stay safe online together
Scammers are targeting First Nations communities more than ever. But with the right tools and support from ACCC and Scamwatch, we can fight back.
Episode 1 - online shopping scams and catfishing
Aunty Rhoda Roberts and Shahni Wellington break down online shopping scams and catfishing with special guest and cyber security expert, Yawun Mundine, CEO of Yirigaa.
The Little Book of Scams
The Little Book of Scams helps you learn about:
- the most common scams to watch out for
- the different ways scammers can contact you
- the tools scammers use to deceive you
- the warning signs
- how to protect yourself against scams
- where you can find help.
Social media posts
Post these on your own social media accounts to spread the word and get your networks interested in learning more about scams. We’ve provided suggested text for you to use.
How to spot and avoid scams post
Suggested text:
Many people in Australia are being scammed and having their money stolen, sometimes even their life savings. Scams hurt people’s lives. Scams are getting harder to spot, so we need to work together to stop them.
STOP: Don’t give money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will offer to help you or ask you to verify who you are. They will pretend to be from organisations you know and use, like businesses, the police, your bank or government services.
CHECK: Could the message or call be fake? Never click a link in a text message or reply. If you’re not sure, say ‘no’, hang up or delete.
PROTECT: Act quickly if something feels wrong. Contact your bank if you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gets your money or information. Seek help and report the scam to Scamwatch. When you report scams, you help us stop the scam and warn others.
Visit scamwatch.gov.au or call the First Nations Infoline on 1300 303 143 for more information.
Dating scams post
Suggested text:
Keep yourself safe by staying updated on scams, and how to spot people who want your money or identity, not your love.
STOP: If you’re looking for love or new friends online remember that scammers are on there too.
CHECK: Take things slowly when you meet new people online. Ask lots of questions and watch for things that don’t add up.
PROTECT: Never send money, card or bank details, personal information or identity documents to someone you only know online, no matter how long you’ve been messaging. Share this info with your mob to keep them safe from romance scams.
Visit scamwatch.gov.au or call the First Nations Infoline on 1300 303 143 for more information.
Job scams post
Suggested text:
Job scammers might contact you through social media, text message and WhatsApp with a job offer.
The work is usually easy and repetitive like writing reviews, rating products or liking videos. They often say you don't need experience or qualifications and offer good money, flexible hours, and the option to work from home. They tell you that you have to invest money to begin with, but you'll get it back plus a commission. But they’re actually trying to steal your money!
STOP: If someone you don’t know offers you a job through social media, text message or WhatsApp it might be a scam.
CHECK: Make sure you don’t share personal information and bank details with these people and never send money up front to ‘start’ a job.
PROTECT: Share this info with your mob to keep them safe from job scams.
Visit scamwatch.gov.au or call the First Nations Infoline on 1300 303 143 for more information.
Investment scams post
Suggested text:
Have you been made an investment offer that sounds too good to be true? Do they claim a celebrity recommends the scheme? Are you being pressured to invest so you don’t ‘miss out’? It could be an investment scam.
STOP: Look out for investment scams! Investment scammers get you to hand over your money by promising big returns with little or no risk.
CHECK: Research the company and verify they have an Australian Financial Services number. Make sure they’re not on the Moneysmart investor alert list. Call the company they say they’re from using contact details you find yourself to make sure they’re real.
PROTECT: Share this info with your mob to keep them safe from investment scams.
Visit scamwatch.gov.au or call the First Nations Infoline on 1300 303 143 for more information.
Posters
We've created posters with Stop. Check. Protect. messaging. Print them off and put them up or share them digitally.
'Through the Grapevine'
by Nathan Patterson
About the artwork
This artwork, and the symbols within, represent the Koorie Grapevine, and how news is passed on by word of mouth travelling across communities. The Grapevine is all about knowledge sharing, and when it comes to online scams, how the Grapevine can spread the word and help others feel supported and protected.
About the artist - Nathan Patterson
Indigenous Australian artist Nathan Patterson is a proud Wagiman man who is now residing on the Surf Coast of Victoria. His people are from Pine Creek, near the Daly River Region in the Northern Territory, where the Wagiman clan are the traditional landowners.
Nathan’s art is a mixture of contemporary designs using traditional techniques that incorporate the Dreamtime stories of his people and of the native land. He continues to tell these stories through his art. Nathan strives to push the boundaries of contemporary Aboriginal art through the use of vibrant colours and traditional design.
More information
If you’re interested in our community engagement sessions or need printed Little Book of Scams booklets for your organisation, contact our First Nations Team.
Email: ACCC First Nations Team at firstnations@accc.gov.au
Phone: ACCC First Nations Infoline on 1300 303 143
Facebook: ACCC Your Rights Mob – Facebook Page.