Types of Scams

Privacy and Security

Transact with care and be scam aware.

Click the red drop-down arrows to read about different types of scams. If you are concerned that you or someone you know has fallen victim to fraud or scams, you can call our local Customer Contact Centre team on 13 81 51 (8am to 8pm Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday (AEST) and closed National Public Holidays).

  • Buying & Selling Scam
    What is it?

    A scammer poses as a genuine buyer or seller in an attempt to obtain your money or your goods and services. This can occur on fake websites, classified pages or social media sites.  

    Scammers as sellers: The scammer poses as a genuine seller of goods on common for-sale platforms. Goods often include pets, motorised vehicles and electronic goods. Following payment, the person often ceases all contact and does not exchange your goods. 

    Scammers as buyers: The scammer shows fake interest in your goods and services advertised online and misleads you into believing payment has been made. In some instances, these individuals will provide false records of payment and often request a refund for false overpayments. 

    What to look out for?
    • Product or service is advertised at below market price.
    • Payment requested via international money transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfer or cash deposit.
    • Urgent payment requested, prior to arranging delivery.
    • Goods cannot be inspected prior to purchase.
    • Extra pre-paid charges applied - insurance, freight, taxes etc.
    Protect Yourself
    • Refrain from sending funds upfront.
    • Use secure payments such as PayPal or credit card.
    • Research the company or seller prior to proceeding with payment.

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.

  • Business Email Compromise Scam
    What is it?

    A business email compromise is where a cybercriminal breaches or impersonates the email account of an organisation or staff member. The offender impersonates the business through tricking the recipient of the email into sending money into a fraudulent account.

    What to look out for?
    • A change in bank details for the recipient of funds.
    • Inconsistent communication style and unusual use of spelling or grammar.
    • Sense of urgency for the payment to be made.
    Protect yourself:
    • Verify the legitimacy of the email by calling on a trusted phone number.
    • Use multi-factor authentication to secure email accounts. 

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.

  • Romance Scam
    What is it?

    Romance scams seek to form a close bond, playing on emotions and building trust, in order to steal money or commit financial fraud on a victim’s behalf. 

    What to look out for?
    • Contact will often occur on dating websites, messenger apps or social media.
    • Rapid declarations of love and affection.
    • Inability to meet in person - scammers often claim to be overseas or travelling.
    • Claims of financial stress, hardship or emotional trauma.
    Protect yourself:
    • Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
    • Never send personal information such as bank details or personal photos that could be used as blackmail.
    • Trust your gut instinct.

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.

  • Investment Scam
    What is it?

    Investment scams target an individual’s personal wealth by convincing them to invest in fake schemes and companies.

    These investments offer opportunities with high returns, low risk and ‘get-rich-quick’ incentives. 

    What to look out for?
    • Cold calls from a stockbroker, incentivising your investment.
    • False advertisements - including fake celebrity endorsements and testimonies.
    • Opening a cryptocurrency wallet, often done so by remote access.
    • Encouragement to invest, including early withdrawal of superannuation.
    • Sense of urgency - claims of a volatile market and possible missed opportunity.
    • Promises of a guaranteed return on investment.
    Protect yourself:
    • If the returns sound too good to be true, they probably are.
    • Seek indpendent financial advice from an advisor registered with ASIC. Click here to find an advisor.
    • Never provide personal information, bank account details or balances to a third party.

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.

  • Threat & Penalty Scam
    What is it?

    A threat and penalty scam is where the scammer threatens you with harm, arrest or legal action in an attempt to extort funds.

    These cybercriminals often impersonate legitimate government or law enforcement agencies. 

    What to look out for?
    • Cold calls, automated voice messages, emails or text messages threatening severe action if you do not comply with payment.
    • Threats of deportation, claims of unpaid taxes or overdue bills, threats to expose incriminating online activity, compromised bank accounts or warrants for arrest.
    • Payment requested via international money transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfer or cash deposit.
    • Requests to keep communications confidential and to lie to friends, family and financial institutions.
    Protect yourself:
    • End the phone call immediately and do not act upon any requests.
    • Never provide personal information, bank account details or balances to a third party.
    • Contact the relevant agency or department on a trusted number to verify the validity of the call.

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.

  • Unexpected Money Scam
    What is it?

    In an unexpected money scam, a scammer poses as a person or entity that requests an up-front payment or an individual’s personal information in order for them to claim a large and unexpected sum of money.

    What to look out for?
    • Cold calls, emails, text messages, pop-ups or social media accounts claiming you are entitled to an inheritance, lottery winnings or a large sum of funds.
    • A request for up-front payment to claim the funds. This is usually in the form of an international money transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfer or cash deposit.
    • Solicitors, companies or government agencies are commonly impersonated to persuade you into making a payment.
    Protect yourself:
    • Avoid any requests for up-front payment. Discuss the legitimacy of the claim with a trusted person.
    • Never provide personal information, bank account details or balances to a third party.

    If in doubt, contact our Customer Contact Centre team urgently on 13 81 51, prior to making payment.