Common scam warning signs

Scammers are always changing their tactics, and the types of scams you may see can vary. There are some key warning signs that you should look out for and that can help you tell if you've received a likely scam or not.

Scams can be sent to lots of people in a short space of time, with scammers looking for either immediate funds or periodic payments. Scams can be highly targeted, focused specifically on you, with scammers directly contacting you and asking you to pay them or provide personal or account information, immediately or over time.

Learn how scammers operate by looking out for these common warning signs:

• Creating a sense of urgency. Pressuring you to act immediately so you don’t have time to think or verify information.
• Impersonating trusted entities. Pretending to be a bank, a government agency, an employer, or someone you know.
• Building false trust. Investing time in creating a fake relationship or opportunity before making their real request.
• Exploiting emotions. Using fear, excitement, loneliness, or empathy to override your judgement.
• Too good to be true. Promising an outcome that may seem unlikely or hard to believe.
• Unusual payment methods. Payments with cryptocurrency, gift cards, directing you to send money to a bank account directly, or prompting you to enter your banking details directly.

Urgency

A feeling of pressure and being asked to act quickly is a common warning sign of a scam. Keep an eye out for demands to quickly transfer money or give personal information. Do not proceed if you feel pressured. A legitimate organisation will give you time to think.

Impersonation

Scammers may pretend to be public figures, people you know, or organisations you recognise in an attempt to trick you. Look out for poor spelling, emotional requests, or threats. If you feel unsure, don’t proceed with the request.

Building false trust

A scam may involve building a relationship with you overtime, be it either friendly or romantic. This trust can be used against you to pressure you into sending money or personal information.

Exploiting emotions

Fear, excitement, loneliness and empathy are often exploited by scammers to trick you. If you feel that your emotions are being manipulated while you’re being asked to send money or personal information, stop and think if you’re being scammed.

Too good to be true

Scams often appear as opportunities that seem too good to be true, such as quick ways to make money, receive heavily discounted products, or obtain something else that is hard to believe. If it seems like an unreal opportunity, it very well could be. Don’t proceed unless you are completely sure you can trust the other party.

Unusual payment methods

Scammers often ask for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, PayID to personal accounts, or wire transfers. Genuine and legitimate businesses rarely request these payment methods, and if they do, they'll request it through an official channel which you can verify independently (such as a phone number or email address you can look up online and contact to validate the request is legitimate) .