Scams and fraud

Unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true or require you to give out bank account details or other personal information are likely to be scams.

You could be contacted with a scam via email, mail, telephone calls or a visit to your home.

Unfortunately, because most scams originate outside of Australia, our laws can’t protect you against all scammers. So if you lose your money there is almost no way to get it back.

Tips to protect yourself from scams and fraud

Keep your receipts and check your bank account and credit card statements. If you see a transaction you cannot explain, report it to your bank.
Shred documents which include any personal information before you throw them away.
Don’t give personal information to anyone you don’t know, including your full name, date of birth, address, banking details and passwords.
Never verify your details in response to an email or phone call from someone you don’t know.
If you feel unsure, check the credentials of the company or person you are dealing with. Find their phone numbers or website via the yellow pages or go to their website directly rather than clicking on an email link.
Always get independent advice if an offer involves a significant commitment of your money or time.
Contact your local police for advice if you’re unsure about any offer you receive.
Protect your computer by using privacy settings, passwords, and security and anti-virus software.
Don’t share your password or login details. Avoid using an obvious password or the same passwords on all of your accounts. Change all passwords regularly.
Remember to use privacy settings on social networking sites to limit who can see your information.
Never provide your personal or credit card details on an unsecured website. To find out if a site is secure, look for a padlock icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, or check to see that the address starts with ‘https’.