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The best way to avoid being scammed is to have the right resources. This means knowing the warning signs of scams, what to do if you think you are being scammed, and how to support friends or family who might be victims.
Scammers are constantly working on new ways to get money from their victims. This means you can never be entirely safe, but the right resources can give you a better chance of avoiding scams.
If you have been scammed, or suspect you have, act quickly. The most important thing is not to panic. Follow the steps on this page and immediately seek support where possible.
You should read our information about common scams that you might encounter and how to avoid them.
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Stop sending money to the scammer immediately. If you aren’t sure if you’re being scammed, you should still stop sending money. Verify if the person you are talking to is legitimate first.
Contact your bank and tell them you’ve been scammed. They’ll be able to stop ongoing transactions and can cancel your bank or credit cards if necessary.
Scammers may have access to your identity so make sure you take steps to protect your identity if you’ve been scammed.
Stay aware of currently circulating scams and follow advice by checking your bank’s website and keeping an eye on the University’s scam information.
The major banks in Australia have information about scams on their websites:
Check your bank’s website for scam information if it's not on the list above.
If your identity has been stolen, or you have given out sensitive personal information, you should act quickly to prevent further problems.
Many pieces of information can be useful for scammers. You should be particularly cautious if the following documents have been lost, stolen, or provided to scammers:
If scammers have access to these or similar documents, you should contact IDCare or ID Support NSW.
Reporting a scam can be helpful. It can assist police and other investigators track down and prosecute the scammers. It also means that more information is available to warn other potential victims of the scam.
Being the victim of a scam can leave you feeling scared, isolated and paranoid. It will be helpful to have somebody to talk to about your experience, and we have a range of health and wellbeing support services that you can make use of.
