This week is Scams Awareness Week (25 to 29 August). An initiative of the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), under the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), it is a national campaign that raises awareness about how scams work, what they cost Australians, and how we can all avoid falling victim to them.
This year’s theme for Scams Awareness Week, Stop. Check. Protect., is designed to apply across all scam types and channels. It encourages everyone to stop before acting, check the details carefully, and protect themselves by making safe choices.
In 2024, Australians made 494,732 scam reports, with combined losses of more than $2.03 billion. Whilst this was a decrease from $2.74 billion in 2023, reflecting the positive impact of stronger protections and awareness efforts – the scale of losses is still troubling. (Source: Targeting scams: report of the National Anti-Scam Centre on scams data and activity 2024.)
Source: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/research-and-resources/targeting-scams-report
What to look for in suspicious emails
Scam emails often create a sense of urgency. They might say your account is suspended, you are owed a refund, or your payment failed. Others pretend to be from services you use, asking you to click a link or enter your login details.
Here are some common red flags:
- The sender address looks unfamiliar or does not match the display name;
- The greeting is vague, such as “Dear Customer” or “Hi” with no name;
- The email asks for sensitive information such as passwords or payment details;
- The message includes poor spelling or grammar;
- You are pressured to act quickly; and/or
- The links or buttons point somewhere unexpected when you hover over them.
Remember: if something does not feel right, stop and check.
Real examples from our customers
Ann received an energy bill reminder
Ann received an email that looked like a power bill. It used her provider’s name and logo, but the sender address came from a suspicious domain. The “Pay Now” button linked to a website that did not belong to her provider. Ann trusted her instincts and deleted the message immediately.
Michael received an email threatening to close his account
Michael received an email saying his account would be shut down unless he verified his details. The “Hi” greeting was not personalised with his name, and the sender was not our official [email protected] address. The email was also sent to multiple people at once, which was another warning sign. Michael marked it as spam and moved on.
Jeanette received a surprise refund offer
Jeanette received an email claiming she was eligible for a refund. It seemed unusual because she did not remember ever buying anything from that company. The message created urgency and included a link to claim the money “today only.” It was written with clumsy grammar, came from a suspicious address, and used a generic greeting. Jeanette trusted her instincts and deleted the message immediately.
What to do if you receive a suspicious email
If you receive a message that seems suspicious:
- Do not click links or download any attachments;
- Do not reply or provide personal information;
- Follow these instructions to report the message as spam or phishing in your email system;
- Forward it as an attachment to [email protected]; and
- Delete the email or move it to your spam or junk folder.
According to Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre, email remains one of the most common ways scammers reach people. If you are ever unsure, visit the company’s website by typing the address yourself. Do not rely on links in the email. To see visual examples and to learn more about staying safe online, visit our Spot a Fake page.
Scamwatch advice
Scamwatch recommends a few simple steps to stay safer with email:
- Take time to check the sender details carefully;
- Be cautious of urgent calls to action that pressure you to act quickly; and
- Go directly to the official website instead of clicking links in the email.
You can find more tips and examples at scamwatch.gov.au, including what to do if you think you have been scammed and where to report it.
Stay safe and spread the word
Scammers rely on people being busy or distracted. Taking a moment to check the details helps protect your information, and it can help others too. As part of Scams Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to share the Stop. Check. Protect. message with friends, family, and colleagues so more people can stay safe.
