If you are able to recognise and avoid scams, you can take an active role in reducing the likelihood of being a victim. Prevention is the most effective tool against scams.
We have published a range of real scams and example scams so you can see how the scammers trick you. Some of the scams are even annotated to help you pick the give away signs.
If you read the information on our scam-specific pages and study our example scams, you will stand a much better chance of staying ahead of the scammers.
Lottery scams
If you are told that you have won a lottery or competition and you are not sure that you entered it, the best thing to do is to say ‘no’. Hang up the phone, delete the email or throw away the letter.
Visit the Lottery and sweepstakes scams page of SCAMwatch to learn what a lottery scam is and how lottery scams work. You will also find tips to help you spot the warning signs and decide what action to take.
Here are some examples of lottery scams. The first example, the El Gordo scam, is even annotated so you can educate yourself about the tricks the scammer might use.
If you are promised huge rewards to help someone transfer money out of their country by paying fees or giving them your bank account details, you could be a target of a scam. Regardless of what you are told, you should be very cautious about sending money to someone you do not know.
Visit the Nigerian 419 page of SCAMwatch to learn what a Nigerian scam is and how Nigerian scams work. You will also find tips to help you spot the warning signs and decide what action to take. You could also look at the money transfer page which describes other similar scams.
Here are some examples of Nigerian and money transfer scams. The first example is annotated so you can educate yourself about the tricks the scammer might use.
Almost everyone has received a fake email pretending to be from a bank or other organisation claiming to need your account details or other personal information. Protect your money and your identity - do not be fooled by an email that looks genuine.
Visit the requests for your account information page of SCAMwatch to learn what a phishing scam is and how phishing scams work. You will also find tips to help you spot the warning signs and decide what action to take.
A directory entry or unauthorised advertising scam is a scam that targets small businesses, trying to bill you for a listing or advertisement in a magazine, journal or business register/directory.
Visit the directories and advertising page of SCAMwatch to learn what a directory scam is and how directory scams work. You will also find tips to help you spot the warning signs and decide what action to take.
The letters sent to businesses in Australia by ECG, a company which operates the Industry & Commerce Register of Business Information, have caused a lot of concern for small businesses in Australia. Rather than signing up for some free publicity, the businesses who have signed the letter get a surprise when they receive a demand for payment of $1200. If you work in a small business, examine this letter closely and see if you if you would have picked the warning signs. We have added annotations to help you out.
