Understanding and Preventing Scams
Australians are increasingly becoming targets for various types of scams. These scams can range from financial deceptions to identity theft, often causing significant emotional and financial damage. It's important to stay informed and vigilant.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors
Our club's volunteer tutors help our members gain digital skills to master their own devices. Each member is tutored 1 on 1 at their own pace. A truly magical ingredient to life long learning. Ask your tutor about steps you can take to protect yourself from these common scams.

1. Telephone Scams
What to Look Out For: Unsolicited calls from 'government agencies' or 'trusted companies' asking for personal or financial information. 
Prevention Tip: Never provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

2. Online Scams
What to Look Out For: Emails or websites asking you to update or verify personal details.
Prevention Tip: Always verify the legitimacy of emails and websites before interacting.

3. Investment Scams 
What to Look Out For: Offers for investment opportunities with high returns and low risk. 
Prevention Tip: Consult with a trusted financial advisor before making any investment.

4. Grandparent Scams 
What to Look Out For: Calls or messages claiming a family member is in trouble and needs money. 
Prevention Tip: Always confirm the situation with other family members before acting. 

5. Cloned Facebook Accounts
Explanation and how to protect yourself. (Opens in new window.)

How to Protect Yourself

• Keep Personal Information Secure: Be cautious about how much personal information you share, especially online.

• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest scam trends.

• Use Secure Connections: Ensure that your internet connection and devices are secure.

• Seek Help: If you're unsure about something, ask a family member or a friend for advice.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

1. Report It: Contact your bank immediately if you've provided financial information.

2. Official Reporting: Report the scam to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au). 

3. Get Support: Contact IDCARE (http://www.idcare.org/contact/get-help) for support if your identity is compromised.

4. More guidance and support via the government eSafety Commissioner
   https://www.esafety.gov.au/

For further guidance ask your tutor about: 

• Be Connected tutorials on identifying and avoiding scams 
  https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/topic-library/identifying-and-avoiding-scams 
• The Australian Government Scamwatch website  
  www.scamwatch.gov.au   

• The latest scam information from the major banks: 
  

• Westpac: https://www.westpac.com.au/security/latest-scams/
  Commonwealth Bank: https://www.commbank.com.au/support/security/latest-scams-and-security-alerts.html
  NAB: https://www.nab.com.au/about-us/security/latest-fraud-scam-alerts
  ANZ: https://www.anz.com.au/security/fraud-detection/latest-security-alerts/
• Amazon - Report Something Suspicious:
  https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201909290&ref_=hp_ss_v3_pse_t4