Scams continue to evolve in both sophistication and frequency, and in 2025 we’re seeing a surge in tactics designed to catch even the most cautious people off guard. Here’s a six of some of the most common scams doing the rounds right now, and how you can protect yourself and those around you.
1. Bank impersonation scams
What it is:
Scammers are pretending to be from your bank, often calling or texting you to alert you to ‘suspicious activity’ or a ‘compromised account’. They may already have some of your details and sound convincing. In some cases, they may even spoof the bank’s official phone number. Their goal can be to get you to transfer money to a ‘safe account’, share your text message verification codes, or allow remote access to your device.
How to spot it:
- Banks will never ask you to move your money to a different account for security reasons.
- Never share one-time passcodes, PINs, or remote access with someone who contacts you out of the blue.
- If you’re unsure, hang up and call your bank back using the official number on their website or app.
Learn more about how we protect our customers and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.
2. MyGov impersonation scam
What it is:
Scammers are pretending to be from MyGov, sending fake texts or emails that claim your MyGov account has been suspended, or that you’re owed a tax refund or Centrelink payment. The message will include a link to ‘log in’, which actually takes you to a fake site designed to steal your login credentials, identity and bank details.
How to spot it:
- Be cautious of any messages claiming urgent action is needed with your MyGov account.
- Never click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages – instead, log in directly at my.gov.au.
- MyGov will never ask for your banking details via text, email or over the phone.
3. Fake job and recruitment scams
What it is:
Scammers are posing as recruiters or companies advertising high-paying remote jobs, often through job boards, social media platforms or text message. After expressing interest, you may be asked to provide personal information or make upfront payments for ‘training’ or ‘equipment’, only to find out the job doesn’t exist.
How to spot it:
- If a job offer seems too good to be true, especially if it requires little experience or effort for high pay, it probably is.
- Avoid any ‘employers’ who ask you to pay money upfront.
- Always research the company independently and apply directly through official company websites when possible.
4. Fake parcel delivery scams
What it is:
These scams are still going strong in 2025, particularly around common sale times and in the lead up to Christmas. You might receive a text or email saying a parcel couldn’t be delivered or that extra payment is required. The message includes a link to reschedule or pay a fee, but the link will go to a fraudulent site designed to steal your information or install malware on your device.
How to spot it:
- Be wary of delivery messages when you’re not expecting a package.
- Don’t click on suspicious links, go directly to the courier’s official website or app.
- Check the sender address closely. Scammers often use slight variations of real company names.
5. PayID scams
What it is:
A newer twist on buying and selling scams, PayID scams are increasingly common in online marketplaces. Scammers pretend to buy an item from you and claim they’ve made payment via PayID, then send a fake email saying you need to ‘upgrade’ to a business account to receive the money. They’ll ask you to transfer money to ‘complete’ the transaction.
How to spot it:
- PayID is free and never requires an upgrade or extra fees to receive money.
- Always log in to your own bank account or app to verify if money has been received, never rely on screenshots or emails.
- If something feels off, trust your gut and walk away from the sale.
6. AI voice scams
What it is:
Thanks to AI technology, scammers are now using cloned voices of loved ones, particularly elderly parents or children to create distressing phone calls asking for help or money. They may say they’ve been in an accident or are in trouble and need urgent financial assistance.
How to spot it:
- Be extremely cautious if you receive a call or voice message from a loved one asking for money under urgent circumstances.
- Hang up and call the person back using their correct phone number to verify if the call was from them.
- Establish a family “safe word” that can be used to confirm authenticity during emergencies.
How to protect yourself from scams
- Stay sceptical: treat unexpected messages, phone calls or urgent requests for money with extreme caution.
- Verify independently: use the official website, app or phone number to verify any claims, and never use contact details provided in a suspicious message.
- Know the red flags: requests for remote access, personal information or payments are big warning signs.
- Secure your accounts: use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Report scams: If you see or fall victim to a scam, report it to your bank immediately and report the scam to Scamwatch to help protect others.
Scams are getting smarter, but so can we. Talking about them with your friends, family and co-workers can spread awareness and go a long way in stopping scammers in their tracks.
This information provides general advice only. We do not provide advice based on any consideration of your personal objectives, needs or circumstances.
