It’s Scam Awareness Week and we're joining forces with the National Anti-Scam Centre to empower you to fight back against scammers.
Scammers are criminals who prey on vulnerabilities, causing significant financial and emotional distress. They may create a sense of urgency, shame, or fear to manipulate you into giving away personal information or money. But don’t worry you're not alone!
Share Your Story, Stop a Scam
This year's theme, ‘Share a Story, Stop a Scam,’ highlights the power of shared experiences. Almost everyone has encountered a scam attempt, and by talking about them, we can raise awareness and help others avoid falling victim.
Here's How You Can Participate:
Share your story! Did you recently avoid a scam? Post a text, photo, or video on social media using the hashtag #ShareAScamStory. Your experience can help others.
Talk to your network. Start a conversation with friends, family, and colleagues. Ask them if they've encountered scams and share tips on how to stay safe.
Remember
Stop, Check, Report. Don't give out personal information or money unless you're absolutely sure. If something seems suspicious, check with a trusted source (like our bank!) before taking any action. Reporting scams to scamwatch.gov.au helps the National Anti-Scam Centre identify and disrupt these criminals.
Know The Signs:
Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations like banks, government agencies, or even family members. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Urgency: Scammers will try to pressure you into acting quickly, leaving you little time to think things through.
- Too-good-to-be-true offer: If something sounds incredibly lucky, it probably is!
- Threats: Scammers may try to scare you into paying up, threatening legal action or consequences if you don't comply.
We're Here to Help
If you suspect a scam or have been targeted, know that you're not alone. Here are some resources:
- Scamwatch: Scam Watch provides information on the latest scams and how to report them.
- National Anti-Scam Centre
- IDCARE: 1800 595 160 (for identity and cyber support)
- Financial Counselling: Money Smart provides a list of free and confidential services to help get your finances back on track.
Together, we can create a safer financial environment. Let's work together to stop scammers and protect ourselves and our loved ones!
