6 common scams to watch out for in 2022

7 - 11 November 2022 is Scam Awareness Week. With more and more people falling victim to scams every year, being aware of scams circulating the internet can help you keep you and your loved ones safe. Here are six common scams to watch out for in 2022.

1. Texts from Mum scam

This dangerous impersonation scam is on the rise. Scammers are impersonating a parent, child or family member by replicating their tone and language in messages to loved ones asking for money. Often the scenarios are deliberately realistic, for example if a loved one is travelling overseas. Scammers may message from another number saying they’ve lost their phone and need money to buy a new one. They may then pressure you to hand over card details or make transfers before you’ve had time to recognise that something isn’t right.

2. Fake account alert scam

Scammers continue to conduct phishing activity by sending urgent alerts pretending to be a bank, government or service provider notifying you of immediate action required on your account. These messages often come from seemingly legitimate numbers or email addresses, too, and may even appear in threads from genuine messages from that provider. Never click links in messages or emails. It’s always best to contact the provider manually using a public telephone number on their website to verify that it's legitimate.

3. Fake invoice or payment details scam

A common scam seen in recent months has been around changes to payment details or sending of fake invoices. If you receive an email or text from someone requesting that you make payment to a new bank account, always verify with them verbally over the phone on a number you trust. Redirection of payments is a common way that scammers will get you to hand over money, and funds lost through these scams can be hard to recover.

4. Crypto trading scam

Cryptocurrency is a popular environment for fraudulent activity. In fact, the Australian Federal Police have been said to receive one report of crypto scam activity every eight minutes. As the cost-of-living rises, crypto scammers are preying on vulnerable people looking for ways to make money quickly. Promising big returns and demanding large deposits into seemingly legitimate websites, scammers lure in their victims by convincing them that they are investing in an asset. Money lost to crypto scams is often untraceable due to the complexities of the environment in which it operates, so be very careful engaging with any cryptocurrency platforms, and particularly anyone contacting you directly to get you to invest.

5. Social media investment scam

Social media has become a popular area for scammers. By impersonating public figures, particularly in the business and finance space, scammers capitalise on the trust people have built with their audience and convince them to transfer money to an investment scheme. Beware of messages you receive from people out of the blue. Often fraudsters will strike up a conversation with you before asking if you’re interested in trading online and making money. Don’t give out any personal information or enrol in any investment platforms that you’re invited to via direct messages on social media.

6. Facebook Marketplace scams

Facebook Marketplace has become a hotbed for scam activity. Scammers will list things at low prices to lure in vulnerable victims, either taking their money without providing the product, or trying to obtain personal information by directing them to fraudulent third-party sites. Other activity to watch out for is buyers requesting a verification code from you. First, they’ll get you to communicate via another platform, like WhatsApp, before requesting a verification code that’s designed to capture your personal login information. If communication with buyers or sellers feels unsafe, disengage and block or report their profile.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed 

Please take a screenshot and email it to phishing@bendigoadelaide.com.au or forward it to 0429 557 997 and then delete the SMS text message or email.

If you have received a SMS text message or email and have clicked on the link and entered your e-banking details, please contact your local branch or call 1300 236 344 immediately.

For the latest scam alerts and information to keep yourself and your family safe online, visit https://www.bendigobank.com.au/security/scams/alerts/

Things to remember

• Bendigo Bank will never request personal information such as a pin or password or ask you to login to online services from an email or SMS.
• Never provide your 6-digit e-banking security code to anyone over the phone or online.
• Bendigo Bank will never ask you to click on a link in an SMS text message to login to e-banking or request remote access to your PC or device.