Stay aware. Stay safe.

Scammers may trick shoppers into providing personal and account details by creating fake websites, ads or social media profiles mimicking well-known stores or online shopping sites. These goods are then never delivered.

Scammers can sometimes pose as sellers and trick you into buying an item that doesn’t exist or is never delivered. Alternatively, they may pose as buyers and pretend to have paid for an item when they in fact haven’t.

Investment scams can be difficult to identify. Unsolicited offers through email, social media, calls, or text typically have the promise of high returns with little or no risk. Scammers will often post as a reputable financial institution to build trust and convince you to send funds or personal details, but they may be totally fraudulent.

Cybercriminals may try to convince you there is a problem with your computer. They then request access to your device to ‘fix it’ and steal personal information by installing ransomware or demanding payment for fake services.

Scammers trick you into believing they are someone you trust such as a family member, friend, law enforcement or reputable organisation. They then play on this trust to leverage personal information from you and steal money.

Sometimes used on second hand selling sites. Scammers contact the seller and insist on using PayID to make a payment. They then claim the seller doesn’t have a PayID ‘business’ account and state they have sent extra money to upgrade the account. The seller is then pressured to reimburse them from the money.

A pet scam typically involves scammers posing as pet sellers or breeders who advertise animals for sale online, often on classified websites or social media platforms. Scammers may list animals that they do not have or make unusual requests for payment or extra costs for delivery. Once money is handed over, the scammers disappear.

Rental scams prey on people searching for rental accommodation. These can include “phantom rentals” – fake listings with attractive rental prices and amenities, with photos and descriptions lifted from legitimate listings but with altered contact information. They may pressure you to make immediate payments or provide personal details for ‘background checks’.

Employment scams can take on various forms that can deceive even the most cautious individuals. Scammers may post fake job advertisements offering positions with attractive salaries, benefits, or work-from home opportunities. The jobs are often non-existent and involve illegal activities such as money laundering or reshipping scams.

Scammers may also pose as employers or recruiters and request payment of fees for job applications, background checks, training costs and other fake expenses.