Be scam savvy: spot the red flags and protect yourself online

One of the most important things to remember when you’re using the internet is that not everyone online is who they say they are. Just as there are people in the real world who try to steal money or valuables, there are people online who do the same thing. This is called a scam.

According to Scamwatch Australia, a scam is a dishonest trick used to steal someone’s money, personal information or belongings. Scammers often make up fake stories, pretend to be someone they’re not or try to pressure people into acting quickly. They can contact people through text messages, emails, phone calls, websites, online games and social media.

Scammers don’t just target kids. Many adults have been fooled by clever online scams too. In fact, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reports Australians lost more than $2 billion to scams in the past year. Around $10 million of that was lost through scam text messages.

Dr Tanya Notley, who is a professor of digital media at Western Sydney University, said scammers are everywhere online.

“People trying to scam you might send you a text message pretending to be your bank, or they might send you an email saying that you’ve won a prize and you just need to give them your personal information to verify* it is you,” she said. “They might also pretend they are selling something, to get you to send them money or gift vouchers.”

Scammers use three sneaky tricks to try to steal your money or personal information. They might pretend to be someone you know and trust, try to make you act really quickly, or play with your feelings to trick you into making a mistake.

“Always stop and check before you give anyone personal details or money online,” Dr Notley said.

“Talk to your parents, a librarian or a teacher first. Scammers rely on you falling for their lies because you’re in a hurry, you don’t want to miss out on something that looks like a great deal or because it seems like the offer is from someone you trust.

“Little kids shouldn’t be unsupervised on the internet because they are vulnerable.* They are trusting.

“They’re good at using technology – they know what buttons to press and how to play a game, but they don’t have the ability to discern.*

“These people are going to be talking to them in game chat and they’re going to appear nice, and say things like, ‘If you want some extra Robux you just have to click here’. Fifty per cent of kids are going to do that. They’re not going to see harm.”

Former police officer, Susan McLean from Cyber Safety Solutions, said it’s important for children to have a trusted adult with them or checking in when they’re using the internet.

“Rarely do I deal with young people who don’t talk to random people on the internet,” she said. “They don’t see it as a problem. The same child who won’t speak to a stranger on the street will speak to someone who’s nice to them online.”

Ms McLean said the biggest danger for children is clicking on links in games that promise free rewards or special items.

“Someone promises them something exciting, and they click the link,” she said. “But instead, they lose control of their gaming account. Their in-game money, like Robux in Roblox, can disappear.”

That’s why it’s a good idea to turn off automatic payments and not save a credit card on a gaming account.

If someone does trick you, tell a trusted adult straightaway and have them report what happened to the gaming platform or app.

“All the apps have in-game reporting within the platform,” Ms McLean said.

“If you lose in-game credits you’re highly unlikely* to get them back.”

If you or someone in your family has been scammed, a parent or guardian can report it to scamwatch.gov.au. If money has been sent to a scammer, have your parent or guardian contact your bank as soon as possible.

For more information, visit accc.gov.au and scamwatch.gov.au

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GLOSSARY

verify: to prove, confirm, or check that something is true

vulnerable: being weak, at risk, and easily hurt or harmed either physically or emotionally

discern: to see or understand something that is hard to notice

unlikely: not likely to happen, not true, or not expected

EXTRA READING

Part 5: Algorithms and your feed

Part 6: Influencers and advertising

Part 7: Gaming chats and group DMs

QUICK QUIZ

What are three ways that scammers try to convince you to give them money?

Why are little kids particularly vulnerable to online scams?

Why do you think people are more trusting of online strangers than real life strangers?

What does Susan McLean say is the biggest danger for kids?

What two things should you do if you have been scammed online?

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