You know me… I have been writing about online dating and romance scams for some time now, but romance scams are not the only type of scams out there. So, I am a proud supporter of the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scam Awareness Week.
What is Scams Awareness Week?
Scams Awareness Week is a collaborative effort between government, business, community groups, consumer protection groups, educational organisations and individuals to promote scams awareness.
This year’s theme is: STOP, CHECK, PROTECT
Let me share the breakdown of STOP, CHECK, PROTECT from the National Anti-Scam Centre:
This Scams Awareness Week, follow our advice to stay safe from scams:
STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.
What to do:
- Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
- Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
- Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.
What to do:
- Contact the organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
- Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC
- Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals.
PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.
What to do:
- Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve lost money or shared financial details
- Contact IDCARE (www.idcare.org or call 1800 595 160) if you want support to recover – they can help you create a plan to the limit damage of scams
- Report to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au) to help protect others
- Report to police (www.cyber.gov.au)
- Change passwords and security details if you think they’ve been compromised
- Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
- Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
- Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Other Helpful Resources
Australian Cyber Security Centre
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) brings cyber security capabilities from across the Australian Government together into a single location. It’s the hub for private and public-sector collaboration and information-sharing to combat cyber security threats.
ReportCyber
ReportCyber is a secure reporting and referral service for cyber-crime and online incidents which may be in breach of Australian law. The ReportCyber website provides a cyber-crime reporting mechanism as well as helpful information about cyber-crime.
Office of the eSafety Commissioner
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides online safety education for Australian children and young people, as well as a complaints service for young Australians who experience serious cyberbullying and address illegal online content.
Attorney-General’s Department
The Attorney-General’s Department website provides helpful information and resources about your rights and protections about identity security, freedom of information and cyber security. The Department has developed a range of resources to assist people to protect their identity and recover from the effects of identity crime.
During Scams Awareness Week, I will be posting information about different types of scams here on Fake Love and joining other organisations and the National Anti-Scam Centre to remind you to Stop, Check, Protect against scams by being alert to fake communications, verifying requests, and never rushing to click links or share personal information, especially during tax time when scams like phishing emails and SMS messages are prevalent.
