Protecting yourself from scams

Q: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is

Always be sceptical of deals that seem unusually generous or unrealistic. Verify the legitimacy of the offer by checking the source and doing some research before you take any actions. Remember, if something doesn't feel right, it's better to be cautious and check first.

Perth is a safe city, but be aware of increasingly sophisticated scams targeting students via email, text, phone, and social media. Stay informed and learn how to protect yourself.

What is a scam?

A scam is when someone tries to deceive you into giving them money or personal information. Scammers succeed because their schemes appear genuine, making you think you are giving your money or information to the right person, when you are not. They adapt to technology, crafting convincing stories to exploit your trust and obtain your money or sensitive details.

However, not all negative experiences are scams. While it's disappointing to receive subpar products or pay more for something than it's worth, these experiences are not scams.

Read on for common scams to look out for, and how to avoid them.

What to do if you suspect a scam.

1 in 3 reported scams happen by phone. If you have answered the phone and suspect the call might be a scam, hang up. You can call the person/company the scammer was claiming to be back, to make sure it's really them.

If you suspect a scam email, do not click on any links. Check the email address of the sender to see if it looks right. Call the person/company they are claiming to be to verify whether the email is legitimate.

You can report any suspicious contact to ScamWatch.

Report a scam

Virtual Kidnapping

How this scam works

The scammer will pose as foreign government officials or police, claiming you are suspected of a crime. They demand payment to avoid deportation. As the scam progresses, victims are coerced into faking their own kidnapping. Families are tricked into believing a ransom is needed to rescue them.

How to avoid this type of scam

If you suspect a call is a scam, hang up immediately. Never send money or share personal information.
Remember, foreign police have no authority in WA.
WA Police will contact you directly and show their police ID if they need to speak to you.
WA Police do not use WeChat or WhatsApp to communicate with victims or suspects, so if you are contact on these platforms, it is not the WA Police.

Fact Sheet

Student Fee Discount Scam

How this scam works

The scammer will send you an email offering to pay for your student fees or give you a discount of 50%. They will request your credit card or bank details to pay a portion of your student fees on your behalf. After using a fake card to pay, the scammer gets your details and money before the bank catches on and rejects the payment.

How to avoid this type of scam

Student fee payments should only be made through your institution or agent.
If you are unsure, call your institution to confirm before payment.

Flexible Work Scam

How this scam works

The scammer sends you a message online, promising a work-from-home job with no experience required. To secure the job, they ask for a hefty investment in cryptocurrency, along with personal ID and a setup fee.

How to avoid this type of scam

Be suspicious of job offers from strangers on social media, messaging apps, or emails.
Research businesses thoroughly before engaging, including verifying a physical address.
You should never have to pay a fee to secure employment.

Delivery Scam

How this scam works

The scammer will send you a text message requesting you to click on a link to arrange a time for a delivery. They might claim the link is for a delivery app, but it's actually a link to a harmful software called Flubot.

How to avoid this type of scam

If you receive one of these messages, do not click or tap on the link. Delete the message immediately.

Government, Police or Taxation Agency Scam threatening Arrest

How this scam works

The scammer will call you and you will hear a pre-recorded message impersonating government agencies saying your tax file number has been suspended due to ‘suspicious activity'. They may then threaten to arrest you if you don't act.

How to avoid this type of scam

If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and report it.

Scams targeting Chinese students

How this scam works

The scammer will call you speaking in Mandarin, pretending to be Chinese authorities. They accuse you of a crime like sending illegal items and threaten deportation or arrest unless you pay money or give them personal information.

How to avoid this type of scam

If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and report it.
Check out the resource below for more in-depth information.

Scams targeting Chinese students fact sheet

Fake Business Invoice Scam

How this scam works

The scammer poses as a real business you’ve recently dealt with. They will send a fake invoice with changed payment details, so your money ends up with the scammer rather than the business. They often target travel and car purchases, using copied logos and numbers to seem legitimate.

How to avoid this type of scam

Compare the invoice to a genuine business email or invoice, and look for discrepancies in payment details.
Contact the actual business and ask them to verify the account details before paying.

Rental Scams

How this scam works

There are different types of rental scams, such as advertising and collecting payment for a property that doesn't exist, renting out a property that doesn't belong to them, or misrepresented properties lacking advertised amenities.

How to avoid this type of scam

If you feel unsure about a rental agreement, before signing, call the WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy on 1300 304 054 or email them at consumer@dmirs.gov.au.
Go through a rental agency or trustworthy website. Websites like domain.com.au and realestate.com.au only accept listings from registered agents. Avoid searching for properties on social media or Gumtree.
Be wary of alternative payment methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash. These payment methods are difficult to trace.
If they won’t let you inspect the property prior to signing the lease, chances are it doesn’t exist, or it’s in poor condition. Always insist on inspecting the property before signing any lease.
Be aware that no one should hold your passport or other important documents while you’re renting from them.

Online Dating and Investment Scams

How this scam works

The scammer will pretend to be a real person on a dating app or social media who wants a relationship with you, spending weeks or months gaining your trust. They will tell you to invest your money or cryptocurrency in ‘opportunities’ that turn out to be fake.

How to avoid this type of scam

Be wary of people you met online and haven’t met in real life.
Be suspicious of people you haven’t met asking you for money, or telling you to invest through a website or platform.
They may offer to show you how easy it is to invest, and you may even make a profit quickly from a small amount you’ve invested. Be cautious of continuing to invest.

Top tips to protect yourself from scams

If you get a call from a number you don't know, it's best to let it go to voicemail.

If you answer the phone, and suspect it might be a scam call, hang up.

You can call the person/company the scammer was claiming to be back, to make sure it's really them.

Never use the contact details given by a caller, or written in an email or SMS. Scammers can easily impersonate someone calling from a major company or organisation.

Instead, look up the official contact information on the organisation's website. If the details don't match, it is probably a scammer. If you are unsure, you can call or email the official contact information to check whether the request was real or not, and you won't get in trouble for doing so.

If someone from your bank or another organisation says they are going to send a code via SMS or email, and asks for the code over the phone, do not give it to them.

SMS and email codes are only used to log into your account. The company you have the account with will never ask for a code to get into your account.

Scammers like to create a sense of urgency so you feel compelled to follow their instructions and hand over your personal information.

It's important to stop and check.

Ask yourself if you really know who you're communicating with, and never give out any personal information, financial details, or remote access to your computer.

If you suspect a call is a scam, hang up and call the person/company the scammer was claiming to be back.

Always be sceptical of deals that seem unusually generous or unrealistic. Verify the legitimacy of the offer by checking the source and doing some research before you take any actions.

Remember, if something doesn't feel right, it's better to be cautious and check first.

I’ve been scammed, what do I do?

If you have given your credit card or bank account information, contact your bank immediately to report the scam. They may be able to cancel your card or bank account before you lose any money.
If you have already sent money to the scammer, do not send them any more. Scammers will keep asking for money until you stop.
Get help from IDCARE, Australia’s national identity and cyber support service. They can help you make a plan to limit the damage, and their services are free. Call them on 1800 595 160.
Report the scam to the Government and the Police.
Get support – being scammed is a horrible experience, and it can happen to anyone. Talk to family, friends, or reach out Lifeline or Beyond Blue for support online or over the phone.

Safety resources

Personal safety

Download Emergency+, a safety app that uses GPS data to communicate your exact location to the correct emergency service in your area.

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Online safety

Check out the WA Government's Cyber Security Awareness Toolkit, filled with a range of fact sheets, infographics, and FAQs to stay informed about staying safe online.

Learn more

Spotting Scams Fact Sheet

WA ScamNet shares common scams affecting people in Western Australia. They have put together a fact sheet with tips on how to protect yourself, a friend or family member.

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