Scammers are constantly finding new ways to target people, often using convincing emails, text messages, phone calls and websites that appear genuine. While these scams can be sophisticated, taking a few simple precautions could help you protect your personal and financial information.
Understanding some of the more common types of scams and knowing what to look out for may help you feel more confident when managing your money online.
Phishing emails and text messages
Phishing scams are one of the most common types of fraud. They often involve emails or text messages that appear to come from your bank, a delivery company or another trusted organisation.
These messages may encourage you to click on a link, confirm personal information or make an urgent payment.
Before responding, it can be helpful to take a moment to check who the message is from. If you're unsure whether a message is genuine, consider avoiding clicking any links or attachments and instead contacting the organisation directly using the contact details published on its official website.
Impersonation scams
Scammers may pretend to be someone you trust, such as your bank, the police or another well-known organisation. They often try to create a sense of urgency by claiming your account has been compromised or that immediate action is required.
Many financial organisations will not ask you to transfer money to a "safe account" or request your PIN, passwords or one-time passcodes. If you receive a request like this, it's worth taking extra care to verify that it is genuine.
If something doesn't feel right, consider ending the conversation and contacting the organisation using a trusted phone number or official contact details.
Fake websites
Fraudsters sometimes create websites that closely resemble genuine banking or shopping sites.
Before entering any personal information, take a moment to check that the website address looks correct and that you're visiting the organisation's official website. You may also notice a padlock symbol in your browser, which indicates that the connection to the website is encrypted. While this alone doesn't confirm that a website is legitimate, it can form part of a number of checks you may wish to make.
Take your time
Many scams rely on encouraging people to act quickly.
If you receive an unexpected message, phone call or request for payment, consider taking a moment to pause before responding. Scammers often use urgency to discourage people from checking whether a request is genuine.
Giving yourself time to verify the information may help you spot potential warning signs.
Stay alert
Scams continue to evolve, so keeping up to date with common fraud techniques could help you recognise suspicious activity.
Being cautious with unexpected messages, checking who you're communicating with and taking time before sharing personal or financial information are sensible habits that may help reduce the risk of fraud.
If you're ever unsure about a request, consider verifying it independently before taking any action. A few extra moments spent checking could help you make a more informed decision.
