In today’s digital world, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. Scammers are experts at impersonating trusted organisations, like banks or government agencies, to trick you into giving up your personal information or hard-earned money.
To help you stay safe, remember these three crucial steps: Stop, Check, and Protect.
Stop:
- Never give money or personal information to anyone if you’re unsure whether the request is genuine. This includes responding to unsolicited emails, phone calls, or text messages.
- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Remember that legitimate organisations will never ask for your personal information via email or text message.
Check:
- Always consider whether a message or call could be fake. Look for red flags like spelling or grammar mistakes, unusual requests, or a sense of urgency.
- Never click on links in suspicious emails or text messages. These links could lead to fake websites designed to steal your information.
- Verify the sender’s identity. If someone claims to be from an organisation you trust, contact the organisation directly using their official website or phone number to confirm.
Protect:
- Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scammer, contact your bank immediately. Our contact details are here.
- Change your passwords and monitor your accounts for any unusual activity.
- Report scams to Scamwatch. This helps authorities track scammers and prevent future attacks.
By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a scam. Stay vigilant, be informed, and protect yourself and your finances.
