Scams are becoming more sophisticated, more targeted, and harder to spot, and scammers are finding new ways to catch people off guard. Once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot and avoid.
Here are some of the most common scams doing the rounds right now and how you can protect yourself.
Gift card scams
Gift card scams have been around for a while, but they’re still one of the most common and effective tactics scammers use.
The reason is simple, once money is loaded onto a gift card, it’s very hard to trace or recover. Scammers can use the card straight away or resell it, making it almost impossible for victims to get their money back.
How it works:
You might get a phone call, email or message from someone pretending to be a business, government agency, or even a boss or colleague. They’ll create a sense of urgency, for example, saying there’s a problem that needs to be fixed immediately, and ask you to buy gift cards to resolve it.
What to watch out for:
- Being asked to pay for anything using gift cards
- Pressure to act quickly or urgently
Remember, no legitimate business or organisation will ever ask for payment using gift cards. If this happens, it’s a scam.
Impersonation scams
Impersonation scams happen when someone pretends to be a trusted organisation to trick you into sharing personal information or money. These scams can come through email, text messages or phone calls, and they’re getting increasingly convincing.
Scammers often pose as well-known brands and organisations, including rewards programs like Flybuys, delivery companies like Australia Post, government agencies like the ATO, or service providers such as Amazon, Microsoft or Netflix. Messages may ask you to confirm details, update your account, pay a bill or fix an issue.
How it works:
You receive a message that looks like it’s from a legitimate company and it may include logos, branding and professional wording. The message usually has a tone of urgency and may even threaten loss of something such as access to your account, loss of money or loss of rewards points. The message will usually include a link for you to click on that takes you to a fake page designed to trick you into making a payment or capture and steal your login details.
What to watch out for:
- Messages that create urgency, like “act now” or “account will be suspended”
- Links asking you to log in or provide personal information
Don’t click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the official website, use the official app or call the business directly instead.
Another common version of this is bank impersonation scams.
In these cases, scammers pretend to be from your bank and contact you about “suspicious activity” or an issue with your account. They may ask you to confirm personal details, share a one-time verification code, or transfer money to a “safe” account, but these actions actually give them access to your account.
For example, you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank’s fraud team. They say your account has been compromised and guide you through steps to “secure” your funds, but you're actually providing them access to your account or transferring them money directly.
What to watch out for:
- Requests for passwords, security codes, or PIN numbers
- Being told to move your money to another account to ‘keep it safe’
If unsure about a phone call, email or message you’ve received from someone claiming to be from your bank, contact your bank directly using official contact details on their website. Never use the details provided in the email, text message or by the person calling.
Fake wellbeing groups on social media
Some scams start slow by building trust over time. One example is fake community groups on platforms like Facebook, often centred around positive activities like walking, hiking or wellness.
How it works:
You join a group that looks genuine and is promoting a wellness activity. Over time, a “coordinator” builds rapport and encourages you to move the conversation to another platform like WhatsApp or Messenger. They then ask you to download an app via a link that they claim is relevant to the group or activity. While the link may look legitimate, it can install malicious software that gives scammers full access to your device, including banking apps, passwords and personal information.
What to watch out for:
- Being asked to move conversations off the original platform which makes it harder for you to verify who you’re talking to
- Links to download apps outside official app stores
Only download apps from trusted sources like the App Store or Google Play, and be cautious about anyone asking you to install an app or software via a direct link they have provided.
Job scams
With more people looking for flexible or remote work, job scams are becoming increasingly common.
How it works:
You come across a job ad offering easy money, flexible hours or high pay for minimal work, and once you show interest, you’re asked to pay upfront for training, equipment, or access to tasks.
After payment is made, the job either doesn’t exist or you’re unable to earn any money back.
What to watch out for:
- Being asked to pay money to start a job
- Roles that sound too good to be true
Legitimate employers don’t ask you to pay to work for them.
Lottery and prize scams
Winning something you didn’t enter might sound like good luck, but it’s usually a scam.
How it works:
You’re told you’ve won money, a prize, or a competition. However, to claim it, you need to pay a fee, tax, or processing fee. Once you pay, the prize never arrives, and the scammer may continue asking for more money.
What to watch out for:
- Being asked to pay to receive a prize
- Winning competitions you don’t remember entering
If you have to pay to claim a prize, it’s a scam.
Staying one step ahead
Scammers rely on urgency, pressure and emotion to get people to act quickly, so taking a moment to pause and think things through can make all the difference.
Simple ways to protect yourself:
- Stop and think before clicking on links or making payments
- Don’t share personal or banking details with people you don’t know, even if they claim to be from a reputable organisation
- Verify unexpected requests for information or money by contacting the organisation directly using their official contact details
- Trust your instincts, if something feels off, it probably is
Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself. By knowing what to look out for, you’re far less likely to fall for a scam and more likely to keep your money and personal information safe. Learn more about the different types of scams and tips for protecting yourself by visiting our Scam Awareness page.
This information provides general advice only. We do not provide advice based on any consideration of your personal objectives, needs or circumstances.
