All Australians urged to ‘Stop. Check. Protect.’ to stay safe from scams

The National Anti-Scam Centre says a new awareness campaign will make Australia a tougher target for scammers by arming Australians with the tools they need to stop scammers.

The Australian Government has launched the ‘Stop. Check. Protect.’ campaign, to tackle the threat of scams by educating the community about sophisticated scam tactics, reminding people that anyone can be vulnerable to scams, and empowering victims to report scams to Scamwatch.

Australians have been losing billions of dollars to scams every year in recent times, with criminals routinely targeting businesses and consumers through fake emails, phone calls, or text messages and social media.

“This campaign is about inspiring the behavioural change in every Australian – ensuring we stop and check before acting on that suspicious email, phone call, text message or social media post – that will stop scammers immediately.”

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said building community resilience to scams is particularly important in an environment where criminals are increasingly turning to new technologies, such as artificial intelligence – and impersonating trusted organisations to trick Australians and steal their money.

“Australian consumers have told us that it sometimes feels like scams are everywhere and inevitable,” Ms Lowe said. “This campaign will emphasise that we’re not powerless to scammers. When we’re alert, we’re in control. And by stopping and checking when we’re unsure, then reporting scams we’ve seen, we can protect ourselves and others against financial harm.”

Ms Lowe said there are three steps to staying safe from scams:

• Stop: Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure.
• Check: Consider who you’re dealing with and ask yourself, could the message or call be fake?
• Protect: Act quickly if something feels wrong. Report scams to Scamwatch. Your report will help us protect others.

The ‘Stop. Check. Protect.’ campaign will be shown across television, online video, and social media. It will be supported by a range of other initiatives to promote scam awareness amongst vulnerable groups, including older Australians, First Nations peoples, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Campaign information and resources have been developed in 22 languages, which are available to view or download at: www.scamwatch.gov.au/translated .

“Anyone can be the target of a scam at any time. Scams are crimes – and if you’ve been scammed, you’re a victim of crime. There’s absolutely nothing to feel ashamed of or embarrassed about – it could happen to any of us,” Ms Lowe said.

“If you are scammed, or you encounter a scam, please report it to Scamwatch so we can take steps to protect others against financial harm. The information you report can provide vital intelligence to help disrupt scams.”

The public information and awareness campaign will complement work being led by the National Anti-Scam Centre to unite Government, law enforcement and industry to disrupt scams, and the criminal groups behind them.

END – Media enquiries: meshal@culper.com.au

How to spot and avoid scams

Scams work because they look like the real thing and scammers create a sense of urgency, contact you when you’re not expecting it, or busy trying to do many things at once. Criminals take advantage of new technology, new products or services and major events to create believable stories that convince you to give them your money, financial or personal details.

Always stop and check before you act. Scammers rely on you not spotting the warning signs because you’re panicked or in a hurry, you don’t want to miss something that looks like a great deal, or because it seems like it’s from someone you trust.

Warning signs it might be a scam

It can be hard to spot a scam, but there are some warning signs to watch for:

• It’s an amazing opportunity to make or save money: Scammers trick you into believing you’re getting an incredible deal or offer. They pressure you to act quickly so you don’t miss out. Remember – deals that seem too good to be true, usually are.
• Someone you haven’t met needs your help – and money: Scammers try to use your good nature against you. They tell heartbreaking or tragic stories to convince you to help them and give them money. Always be wary of any appeal for money and never give money unless you can independently confirm that the story is true.
• The message contains links or attachments: Never automatically click a link or attachment you receive via email or text. Scammers try to catch you off guard and send you to scam websites designed to steal your information and money. Always make sure that the sender is who they say they are and that you know what you are opening. It’s safest to find the information yourself by going to the official website or app rather than clicking on a link.
• You feel pressured to act quickly: Scammers don’t want you to take your time to think things through. They use techniques designed to catch you off guard and rush you, like saying if you don’t do this now you’ll miss out or threatening that something bad will happen.
• They ask you to pay in an unusual or specific ways: If a person asks you to pay with preloaded debit cards, iTunes cards, or virtual currency like Bitcoin, chances are it’s a scam. Once this money is spent, you can’t get it back.
• They ask you to set up new accounts or PayIDs: If someone asks you to set up a new bank account or PayID to pay them or be paid by them, this is a clear sign you should be suspicious. It could be a scam or money laundering. Your bank will never ask you to open new accounts to keep your money safe. Stop and check who you are dealing with.

‘Stop. Check. Protect.’ to put a stop to scammers

• STOP. Stop and think before you act. Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure.
  Scammers will pretend to be from organisations you know and trust like businesses, the police, your bank or government services. They will offer to help you or ask you to verify your identity with them.
• CHECK. Consider who you’re dealing with and ask yourself, could the message or call be fake?
  Never click a link in a message. Only contact businesses or government using contact information that you find yourself from their official website or app. If you’re not sure, say ‘no’, hang up or delete.
• PROTECT. Act quickly to protect yourself if something feels wrong.
  Contact your bank immediately if you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gets your money or information. Seek help and report the scam or any suspicious contact or activity to Scamwatch. Your report will help us protect others.