Scammers Never Rest — Can You Spot the Scam?

Scammers Never Rest — Can You Spot the Scam?

In today’s digital age, scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, crafting schemes that are ever more convincing. 

The latest Targeting Scams report by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has revealed Australians lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022.

Think you’ve got what it takes to avoid a scam? Take our quiz and find out!

Can you spot the scam?

1. ATO

A.

B.

ATO Return Scam

C.

ATO Lodgement Scam

D.

ATO Real Notification

Reveal the Answer

Answer: A, B & C are Scams

The ATO uses SMS and emails for promotional and information purposes only. If you have linked the ATO to your myGov account, they will send most of your personal ATO letters directly to your myGov Inbox, rather than through the post.

You will get email or SMS notifications from myGov to let you know there are new messages in your myGov Inbox. These myGov notifications will not contain links. The ATO will never send you an email with a QR code or a link to log in to its online services. While the ATO may use SMS or email to ask you to contact them, they will never ask you to return personal information through these channels.

2. MyGov

A.

B.

C.

D.

MyGov Phishing Scam

Reveal the Answer

Answer: B, C & D are Scams

myGov will never ask you through email, text message, or direct message on social media, to:

  • Click on a link to sign in to myGov
  • Enter your bank details
  • Provide your identity documents
  • Tell us your personal details.

MyGov does not offer live chat through social media.

Scammers can make fake websites that look just like myGov. Always access myGov by typing in the web address yourself (my.gov.au). Or you can use the official Australian Government myGov app.

When you are signed in to myGov, the messages in your myGov Inbox are secure. It’s safe to open links in myGov Inbox messages.

3. Banks

A.

B.

C.

NAB Scam

D.

CommBank Fake Email

Reveal the Answer

Answer: A, C & D are Scams

  • Remember, banks will never send you an email or SMS asking for banking information or include a link to login directly from an email or SMS.
  • If you’re ever unsure whether an email or message is legitimately from your bank, message them in the app, or visit a branch in person.
  • If you get an unexpected call from your bank, some banks have options like CallerCheck to send you a security message through your app for you to verify the caller’s identity.
  • To be safe, always navigate directly to your app yourself and log on, rather than using any links in communications.

Stop. Check. Reject.

1. Stop.

Does a call, email or text seem off? The best thing to do is stop. Take a breath.

Real organisations won’t put you under pressure to act instantly.

2. Check.

Ask someone you trust or contact the organisation the message claims to be from. 

Make sure to go to a trusted source (i.e. by typing the web address yourself or via the official app) and not through the links provided.

3. Reject.

If you’re unsure, hang up on the caller, delete the email, block the phone number.

And if necessary, don’t hesitate to change your passwords.

Source: Tailored Accounts

Read More

Pizza Hut, Dymocks, Coles, Optus, and Medibank are just some of the household names that have fallen victim to cyber-attacks within the last year. 

Nearly half of Australians were involved in a data breach in the year leading up to March 2023. ASIC chair Joe Longo warns that directors are under regulatory obligations to fortify their organizations against cyber threats and build digital resilience.

Despite record spending on cyber security, Australia is losing more than $33 billion annually to cybercrime. Why? Because while cyber-security efforts are laser-focused on safeguarding data and networks, most cyber-criminals are playing for a different prize – your money.

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