Share a story, stop a scam

Australians lost $2.74 billion to scammers in over 600,000 reported cases in 2023 and yet we don’t tend to talk about it.  Despite our financial losses decreasing, only 30% of people scammed in 2023 reported it*.  Being scam savvy has become a part of our daily lives… so why don’t we feel comfortable talking about scams?

Scammers are opportunistic and aim to confuse us into a fast, emotional response. Be it by catching you in a moment of distraction, creating a false sense of urgency or inducing anxiety, or even fear. The feelings stay with us long after the experience and can sometimes lead to shame or embarrassment. The truth is, scams can happen to anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, and it’s only through sharing our experiences that we can better equip ourselves and protect our data and funds.

This year, Scam Awareness Week (August 26 – August 30) is highlighting the importance of sharing scam experiences with your network – the more we share our stories, the better equipped we are to protect ourselves and stop a scam.

How do I spot a scam?

Even though scams constantly evolve, these three steps can safeguard you in an unexpected situation.

Stop

If you’re unsure, don’t give any money or personal information to anyone. Say no, hang up or delete.

Check

Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. If you receive an unexpected call or message, independently source the contact information and verify the request.

Report

The more we talk, the less power scammers have.  If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, please contact us immediately. We encourage you to report scams to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) via the report a scam website. 

You can find more about our anti-fraud measures on our dedicated page and download our Fraud protection guide. 

You can read more about the different types of scams and learn how to spot a scam here.

Let’s talk scams

Break the stigma this week by sharing your story using the hashtag #ShareAScamStory online or talk to someone you know about your experience. We’re stronger together.

*Statistics provided by Scamwatch.