If you’ve had a text about an unpaid toll, a parcel you can’t collect, or a call warning your bank account’s been hacked — you’re not alone. Scams cost Australians billions each year, and here in WA, gift-card and romance scams have driven losses well over a million dollars, with older people targeted most. The good news: once you know the patterns, they’re much easier to spot.
The ones doing the rounds
- Fake texts about a parcel, toll, fine or “suspicious login” — with a link to “fix it”.
- Bank or “Services Australia” calls saying your account is compromised and you must act now.
- Family-in-trouble texts (“Hi Mum, I’ve lost my phone, can you transfer…”).
- Romance and investment approaches that build trust over weeks, then ask for money.
The three questions that catch most scams
- Did I expect this? An out-of-the-blue message about money or an account is a red flag.
- Are they rushing me? Urgency and fear (“act now or lose access”) are the scammer’s main tools.
- How are they asking me to pay? Gift cards, crypto, or a “new” bank account almost always means a scam.
What to do instead
- Don’t tap links in texts. Open the app or type the website in yourself.
- Hang up and call the organisation back on a number from their official site or the back of your card.
- Never share one-time codes, passwords or remote-access to your computer.
- If a “relative” messages from a new number, call their real number to check.
If you think you’ve been caught
Stop all contact, call your bank straight away, and change the password on any affected account (plus turn on multi-factor authentication). Then report it at scamwatch.gov.au.
Worried about a message, or want help setting up a phone or computer so scams are harder to fall for — for yourself or an older family member? Talk to us. We’re local, and we’ll explain it without the jargon.