Staying safe from Scams in a rapidly changing world
By Hayley Godfrey
Scams are changing fast. Every year, scammers find new ways to trick people – and in 2025, they used technology more than ever. Many people in our community are being targeted, especially older Australians and people who may need extra support online. Staying safe doesn’t mean being scared. It means being aware, taking your time, and knowing what to look out for.
What’s happening right now?
Scamwatch says the biggest scam losses this year came from:
- Investment scams
- Payment‑redirection scams
- Romance scams
- Phishing emails and texts
- Remote‑access scams
Scammers are also using AI (artificial intelligence) to make their tricks more believable. For example:
- Some scammers use AI voice‑cloning to copy a family member’s voice and pretend they’re in trouble.
- Others use AI to write very convincing emails, create fake websites, or run cyberattacks automatically.
Older Australians are being hit especially hard. In 2025, people aged 65 and over lost $88.8 million, even though they make up only 17.2% of the population.
(Source: Scamwatch.gov.au)
How scammers try to reach you
Scammers contact people in many different ways. Here are the most common:
- Text or SMS – messages pretending to be from the government, banks, or delivery companies.
- Phone calls – scammers pretending to be the ATO, Centrelink, NDIS, or even the police.
- Emails – often look real but contain dangerous links.
- Social media – fake profiles, fake competitions, or “friend” requests.
- Websites – pages that look official but are designed to steal your information.
- In person – someone knocking on your door pretending to be from a service or company.
Scamwatch also lists many scam types, including phishing, relationship scams, identity takeover, buying and selling scams, threat/extortion scams, unexpected money scams, business email compromise, and more.
My own experiences (and why I share them)
I don’t share these stories to scare anyone – I share them because they can happen to anyone, and knowing the signs helps keep us safe.
The ATO Gift Card Scam
A few years ago, I got a call on a Saturday morning from someone claiming to be from the ATO. They said I owed money, down to the cents (which the ATO never does). They threatened me with arrest and demanded payment in Apple iTunes gift cards.
I ended up buying $1,600 worth. I later recovered about $800. Reporting it was stressful, and the first call I made for help was traumatic. But I tell this story so others don’t fall into the same trap.
The FACBK Bank Transactions
In November 2023, I checked my bank account and saw three transactions I didn’t make: two for $5 and one for $470. All were labelled FACBK. My emotions went from shock, to disbelief, to anger – then straight into problem‑solving mode. I called my bank, cancelled my card, and waited for a new one. It was inconvenient and felt like a real violation.
These moments remind me how quickly things can go wrong – and how important it is to act fast.
How to protect yourself
Here are simple steps that make a big difference:
- Turn on multi‑factor authentication (MFA). This adds an extra lock to your account. Even if someone gets your password, they still can’t get in.
- Keep your phone, tablet, and computer updated to fix security holes that scammers love to use.
- Be careful what you share online. Birthdays, pets’ names, and workplaces – these can help scammers guess passwords or pretend to be you.
- Remember: government agencies will NEVER ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency. They also won’t call out of the blue demanding payment.
- Slow down if something feels urgent or scary. Scammers want you to panic. Take a breath. Check with someone you trust. Call the organisation directly using a number you find.
If you think you’ve been scammed
Don’t feel embarrassed – it happens to people from all walks of life.
You should stop all contact with the scammer and follow the steps below as soon as you can.
Write down what happened. A simple way to do this is by using the “5 W’s and 1 H.”
- Start with who contacted you – write down the name they gave you, even if it sounded fake, and note who they claimed to be from, such as the ATO, Centrelink, or your bank.
- Then record what they said and what happened, including any threats, pressure, or unusual requests.
- Next, write down when it happened, including the date and time of the call, text, or email. It also helps to note where you were when you received the message, because this can make the details easier to remember later.
- Include why the scammer said they were contacting you – for example, a “problem with your account” or a “missed payment.”
- Finally, record how they contacted you, whether it was by phone, text message, email, social media, a website pop‑up, or even in person.
- Keeping these details together makes it much easier to report the scam and get the right support.
Call your bank immediately.
Report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam).
Contact IDCARE (idcare.org) if your identity may have been stolen.
Talk to someone you trust – scams can be emotionally upsetting.
Final Thoughts
Technology keeps changing, and scammers change with it. But staying safe doesn’t mean being afraid – it means being informed. When we share stories, learn from each other, and take simple steps to protect ourselves, we make our whole community stronger.