Technology has made many parts of our lives easier. We can manage our banking, communicate with family, shop, pay bills and access important services without leaving home.
Unfortunately, it has also created new opportunities for scammers.
Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. A fraudulent email can look almost identical to one from your bank. A text message can appear alongside genuine messages from an organisation you know. A caller may know your name, address or other personal details and use these to make themselves sound legitimate.
For retirees in particular, navigating this changing digital environment can sometimes feel daunting. Many of us grew up in a time when receiving a telephone call from a bank, government department or well-known company gave us little reason to question whether the person on the other end was really who they said they were.
Today, a little healthy suspicion can be a very good thing.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a technology expert to protect yourself. A few simple habits can make an enormous difference.
- Never give personal information to someone who calls you unexpectedly
If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, super fund, Centrelink, the ATO, a telecommunications provider or another organisation and asks you to provide or confirm personal information, don’t be afraid to end the call.
Even if the caller sounds professional and already knows some information about you, that doesn’t prove they are legitimate.
Hang up and find the organisation’s official telephone number yourself — from its website, app, a statement or other trusted source — and call them directly.
Importantly, never call a telephone number provided to you by the suspicious caller, email or text message.
- Don’t click links in unexpected emails or text messages
Our general rule is simple: if you receive an unexpected email or text asking you to click a link, don’t.
Instead, go to the organisation’s website yourself, use its official app, or contact the organisation directly.
A message saying there is a problem with your bank account, an unpaid toll, an overdue bill or a parcel awaiting delivery can create a sense of urgency. That’s exactly what the scammer wants.
Take your time. A legitimate issue will still be there after you’ve independently checked it.
- Become a detective
When an unexpected email arrives, look at it critically.
Check the sender’s email address, not just the name displayed. Does the address actually belong to the organisation? Is the message addressed specifically to you? Does anything about the wording, spelling, grammar or formatting seem unusual?
These can all be warning signs.
However, don’t assume an email is genuine simply because it is professionally written. Modern scams can copy logos, branding and writing styles extremely convincingly.
When in doubt, independently verify it.
- Be suspicious of urgency and pressure
One of the most powerful tools a scammer has is pressure.
“Your account has been compromised.”
“You need to transfer your money immediately.”
“Your account will be suspended today.”
“You have an outstanding debt.”
“Don’t hang up — I need to fix this for you now.”
These statements are designed to make you act before you have time to think.
Give yourself permission to stop.
Hang up. Don’t reply. Don’t transfer money. Then independently contact the organisation involved.
- Never give someone remote access to your computer
If somebody unexpectedly calls and tells you there is a problem with your computer, internet connection or bank account and asks you to install software or allow them to access your computer remotely, don’t do it.
Hang up.
Giving somebody remote access can potentially allow them to see information on your computer or assist them in gaining access to your accounts.
- Never share passwords or security codes
Your passwords, PINs and one-time security codes should be treated like the keys to your house.
Don’t provide them to somebody who unexpectedly contacts you, even if they claim to be helping you protect your account.
Always use a variety of different passwords for important accounts and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible. This provides another layer of protection if a password is compromised.
- Be wary when someone asks you to move money to keep it “safe”
If someone claiming to be from your bank tells you that your account has been compromised and you need to transfer your money to another or “safe” account, stop.
Don’t make the transfer.
Contact your bank yourself using a trusted telephone number or through its official app.
- Check unusual requests from family and friends
Scammers don’t only pretend to be businesses.
You may receive a text or message from somebody claiming to be your child, grandchild or another family member. They may say they’ve lost their phone, have a new number and urgently need money.
Before sending anything, contact your family member using the number you already have for them or speak with another family member to confirm the story.
Our favourite rule: assume the worst first, verify second
When it comes to unexpected phone calls, emails and text messages, adopting the mindset of a detective can be one of your best defences.
If you weren’t expecting the contact, start by questioning it.
There is nothing rude about hanging up the telephone. There is nothing wrong with ignoring an email while you investigate. And there is certainly nothing wrong with contacting an organisation yourself to confirm that a request is genuine.
Prevention is far easier than trying to recover money or personal information after it has fallen into the wrong hands.
And perhaps most importantly, if you’re unsure — ask someone you trust.
Sometimes another pair of eyes is all that’s needed to notice something that doesn’t look quite right.
What if you think you’ve been scammed?
Act quickly.
If you’ve transferred money or provided banking information, contact your bank immediately. If you’ve provided a password or security information, change it as soon as possible.
You can also report scams and find further information through Scamwatch, which is operated by Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre.
Remember three simple words:
STOP. CHECK. PROTECT.
Stop before you act.
Check that the person or organisation really is who they claim to be.
Protect yourself by acting quickly if something has gone wrong.
A few moments of caution could protect information and savings that have taken a lifetime to build.
