How scammers work

Scams are always changing and everyone is a target.

• Scammers are getting smarter and are taking advantage of new technology.
• Many people believe they would never fall for a scam.
• Scammers try to get money or steal your personal details so they can pretend to be you.
• You can be scammed in different ways – online, phone, post or in person.
• Scammers use all sorts of tactics to prey on their victims:
  • We tend to comply with requests from authority figures – scammers often pretend to be a
    government official.
  • We often trust those we know – scammers try to gain trust by claiming to be from a
    well-known business or impersonate a known contact.
  • Scammers will suggest their own verification procedures, like going to websites they have created or calling numbers they provide to you.
  • Scammers know how to appeal to your emotions and press your buttons to get what they want.
  • Scammers create a sense of urgency to get you to make decisions without thinking.
• Reporting scams can help others from falling victim.

Go back to first page.

Further information and reading

• www.scamwatch.gov.au – a reliable source of information on scams and a place to report scams
• The impact of scams
• What to look for
• How to protect yourself
• Where to seek help

Source: Information is provided by Australian Competition & Consumer Commission