Scammers are getting smarter, and their tricks are becoming harder to spot. From fake emails and phone calls to online shopping scams and identity theft, fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to steal money and personal information.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a few smart strategies to significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these deceptive practices—whether you’re browsing online, answering a phone call, or receiving a suspicious message.
1. Pause before taking action.
Scammers thrive on creating a sense of urgency to provoke hasty decisions. They might impersonate your bank’s fraud team, insisting you transfer funds immediately to a ‘safe’ account, which is actually under their control.
But you have to remember that genuine institutions will never rush you into making financial transactions. So take a moment to think: is this request reasonable? If in doubt, seek a second opinion from someone you trust.
2. Practice vigilance online.
The internet is a scammer’s playground, with 75% of scams reported to Barclays originating on social media and tech platforms.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. You need to be especially cautious with purchases through Facebook or Instagram, another photo and video-sharing platform.
The rise of ‘Hi Mum’ scams, where fraudsters pose as family members in need of urgent financial help, is another concern. To avoid falling victim, always verify the identity of the person contacting you by calling them back on a known number or asking questions only they would know.
3. Examine the details carefully.
Scammers often use email addresses that closely mimic legitimate ones, with subtle differences so you need to look out for spelling mistakes or poor grammar, which can be telltale signs of a scam.
Moreover, be cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources, as they could lead to fake websites or contain malware designed to steal your personal information.
4. Don’t be afraid to hang up.
Many scams start with a phone call, and scammers can mimic official numbers, a tactic known as ‘number spoofing.’
If you’re unsure who’s on the other end or weren’t expecting a call, hang up. To ensure scammers have disconnected, use a different phone or wait 10 to 15 minutes before calling back.
5. Use call blocking services.
To block unsolicited or scam calls, you can utilise the Do Not Call Register free service. You can access it and register your number by visiting the website donotcall.gov.au or calling 1300 792 958.
You can also enable built-in caller ID and spam protection features on Android devices or use the ‘silence unknown callers’ function on iPhones to filter out calls from numbers not in your contacts.
6. Secure all of your devices.
Keeping your computer and mobile devices secure is essential. To do this, regularly update your software and use the latest versions of apps.
You can also utilise built-in security features like Windows Security for PCs or the security systems on macOS for Apple devices. More so, strong, unique passwords for each account and two-factor authentication provide additional layers of security.
By implementing these six strategies, you can fortify your defences against the cunning tactics of scammers. Remember, staying informed and cautious is your best protection.
Have you or someone you know encountered a scam recently? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help others in the YourLifeChoices community stay safe!
Also read: Australia becomes ‘honeypot’ for scammers: Are your savings at risk?
