Unfortunately, online scams are widespread, no matter what country you’re living in. Moving to a new country as an immigrant can put you at more risk, as you have to navigate new systems in all areas of life.
At Remitly, we understand how important it is to keep your money and information safe—both in Australia and when you’re sending it across borders—so we’re here to give you all the information you need to spot and avoid online scams.
What is an online scam?
Cybercriminals run online scams to trick people into giving away money, personal information, or access to sensitive accounts. Falling victim to a scam can be devastating, especially if you’re on a tight budget or working to get your residence in a new country.
Scammers often send communications by email or SMS, posing as a trusted organization (like your bank, government agencies, or well-known companies) to make their schemes seem legitimate and get people to click on malicious links or hand over their data.
Scammers rely on deception, urgency, and false promises to manipulate their victims, so it’s important to know about the common scams that are currently on the go if you want to avoid them.
Types of scams
Some online scams are well-known worldwide, while others are a little more difficult to spot. From fake job offers to sophisticated banking fraud, scammers are always finding new ways to trick people. Knowing what’s out there can help you spot a scam before it’s too late.
Common online scams
Here are a few of the most common online scams you might come across in Australia and elsewhere:
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- Phishing scams: Scammers send emails or messages that look like they’re from trusted sources but contain links to dodgy websites that are designed to steal your login details, credit card numbers, or personal information.
- Investment scams: These scams promise high returns with little to no risk. Victims are pressured to invest in fake schemes, cryptocurrency opportunities, or trading platforms that seem legitimate but are designed to drain funds from their bank accounts.
- Remote access scams: Scammers trick victims into granting them remote access to their computers or devices so that they can steal personal information, install malware, or demand payment for fake repairs.
- Online shopping scams: Some fraudsters create websites or social media pages—or even impersonate well-known retailers—advertising products at unbeatable prices. But the goods will never be delivered to you after you place and pay for your order.
- Romance scams: There’s been a steep increase in romance scams over the past few years. Here, scammers build relationships with victims over weeks or months, gaining their trust before requesting money for emergencies, travel, or other fabricated reasons.
- Banking and financial fraud: Cybercriminals often impersonate banks or financial institutions, trying to trick customers into providing banking details or authorising fraudulent transactions.
Emerging scam practices
Scammers are always looking for new angles, and technology is making things a whole lot easier for them.
Artificial intelligence has made it easy for fraudsters to create fake images, videos, and voice recordings that help them impersonate public figures, company executives, and even friends of their victims. These deepfakes are often used to encourage people to invest in fraudulent investment schemes or trick them into paying money into a dodgy account.
Cryptocurrency scammers have also taken advantage of deepfakes to fabricate endorsements from celebrities or industry leaders and lure victims into fake trading platforms. Once funds have been deposited, though, the cybercriminals vanish without a trace.
Quishing—QR code phishing—is another scheme that’s on the rise. Here, fraudsters embed malicious links into QR codes that direct victims to fake websites designed to steal their personal data or install malware on their device.
Understanding the threat landscape in Australia
Australians reported over 601,000 scam incidents in 2023, marking an 18.5% increase from the previous year.
The financial losses from these scams amounted to $2.74 billion AUD, with investment scams causing the most harm ($1.3 billion AUD), followed by remote access scams ($256 million AUD), and romance scams ($201.1 million AUD).
Newcomers to Australia are often targeted by scammers, who exploit immigrants’ lack of knowledge about Australia’s systems and play on fear to get them to hand over money.
Rental fraud, where scammers pose as landlords and offer non-existent properties for rent in a bid to collect deposits, is a big one. Visa and immigration scams are another. Here, scammers impersonate officials from the Department of Home Affairs, claiming issues with the victim’s Australian work visa and demanding immediate payments to rectify supposed problems.
There are also employment scams. Fraudsters will offer migrants attractive-looking job opportunities, asking for upfront payments for training or equipment. Once payments are made, the scammers disappear, leaving victims without a job and out of pocket.
How to spot a scam
The golden rule of avoiding scams is simple: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers rely on excitement, urgency, or fear to pressure people into acting quickly. Taking a moment to pause, verify, and question suspicious offers can be the difference between staying safe and getting scammed.
Know fraudsters’ favourite scam methods
Scammers use different ways to reach victims, often pretending to be someone trustworthy. Here are some of the most common methods they use:
- Phone calls: Scammers call pretending to be from banks, government agencies, or tech support. Some use automated messages, like “Your account has been compromised!” to scare victims into taking action.
- Messages: Fraudsters claim to be from delivery services, banks, or competitions to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal details to receive goods they’ve ordered.
- Emails: Dodgy actors send emails that contain fake links in the hopes that you’ll click on one, routing you to a website that’s designed to harvest your information. These emails often include fake invoices, security alerts, or information about prize winnings.
- Social media and online ads: Scammers sometimes create fake profiles from which they send direct messages or run fraudulent ads to promote fake job offers, giveaways, or investment opportunities.
- Fake websites: Fraudsters often set up convincing but fake websites that mimic sites that belong to real businesses in a bid to steal clients’ login details, payment information, or personal data.
Scammers rely on all sorts of digital communications to trap you in their schemes. That’s why it’s important to always verify messages, calls, and websites before engaging.
Understand emotional manipulation tactics
Scammers don’t just use fake emails or phone calls to get into your life—they play on your emotions to cloud your judgment and push you into making rash decisions. They rely on the fact that when emotions are high, logical thinking takes a back seat.
Fear is one of the most common tools in a scammer’s arsenal. Messages claiming your bank account has been locked, your visa is at risk, or you owe money to the government are designed to create panic. Fraudsters hope that in your rush to fix the issue, you’ll follow their instructions without questioning them.
Some scams play on excitement and urgency. Winning a prize, being offered an exclusive job opportunity, or getting an investment tip with “guaranteed returns” can make people act quickly without considering whether the offer is real.
Another common manipulation tactic is trust-building. Romance scams and fake job offers often involve weeks or even months of communication, gradually earning the victim’s confidence before making a financial request. If someone you’ve never met in person suddenly asks for money or sensitive information, take a step back and reassess the situation.
Keep in mind that scammers are especially active around big holidays like Christmas, taking advantage of the fact that people are often distracted, stressed, or feeling generous.
They may exploit the rush of holiday shopping with fake sales, fraudulent charity appeals, and delivery scams. The emotional pull of the season—whether it’s the pressure to find the perfect gift or the desire to help others—can make even the most cautious individuals more vulnerable to deception.
Defending against scams
There are plenty of ways to stay one step ahead of scammers and protect yourself—and your Australian dollars.
Practical tips for safeguarding your data
Protecting your personal and financial information is one of the best ways to defend yourself against scammers. There are some easy-to-implement tricks and tips that you can use to keep your data secure:
- Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Adding a second verification step to your accounts makes it harder for scammers to access them, even if they have your password.
- Be cautious with unsolicited messages: Never share your personal details in response to unexpected emails, phone calls, or messages.
- Double-check the source of messages: If a message seems suspicious, contact the company or organisation directly to verify its authenticity.
- Check website security: Look for “https://” at the beginning of a URL and avoid entering your details on poorly designed or unfamiliar sites.
- Limit the personal information you share online: Scammers can piece together details from social media to impersonate you, so be mindful of what you post.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank statements and online accounts to spot and report suspicious activity early.
- Keep your devices and software updated: Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities that scammers could exploit.
By following these online safety best practices, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams and keep your personal data secure.
Tools and resources for scam prevention
There are several tools available to help you stay ahead of scammers and protect your information.
Spam filters can block phishing emails before they reach your inbox, while password managers keep your credentials secure. Two-factor authentication also adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making them harder to hack.
Plus, you can use fraud reporting websites to check for known scams and report suspicious activity. Many banks and financial institutions also offer real-time fraud alerts, so enabling these notifications can help you detect unauthorised transactions early.
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, acting quickly can help limit the damage.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to stop all communication with the scammer immediately. Engaging further could put you at greater risk, especially if they try to pressure you into sending more money or sharing additional personal details.
If you think your passwords may have been compromised, update them immediately, especially for banking, email, and other sensitive accounts. Contact your bank to report any unauthorised transactions and request a freeze on your accounts if necessary.
Once you’ve secured your accounts, report the scam to the relevant authorities. You can submit a report through the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s online portal for cybercrime incidents. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with IDCARE, Australia’s national identity and cyber support service, to secure your identities and minimise further scam risks.
Scamwatch, which tracks scams and provides warnings to the public, is another agency you might want to contact. Reporting the incident to your local police may also be necessary for legal or insurance purposes.
Recovery is probably the most difficult part of the post-scam process. It can take time to get back on your feet, both financially and emotionally. Beyond the financial impact, falling victim to a scam can be distressing. If you’re struggling, consider reaching out to trusted friends, family, or a professional counsellor for support.
Conclusion
Scams can happen to anyone—but by staying informed, you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim.
Knowing what common scams are popular at the moment, being cautious with unsolicited messages, and verifying anything that seems suspicious can go a long way in keeping your personal and financial information safe.
FAQs
How can I avoid being scammed online in Australia?
To avoid online scams in Australia, be cautious with unsolicited messages or calls requesting personal information. Always verify the sender’s identity through official channels before responding to or clicking on links in messages.
What is the golden rule of avoiding scams?
The golden rule to avoid scams is: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always approach unsolicited offers or messages with scepticism, especially those promising large rewards or urgent requests for personal information.
How do I outsmart an online scammer?
To outsmart online scammers, maintain a healthy scepticism towards unexpected communications, educate yourself about common scam tactics, and stay informed about the latest scams targeting individuals in Australia.