> Scam alert  > Warning signs

There are warning signs that may alert you to someone trying to scam you. The following points are very general, and will not necessarily indicate a scam. The list is not exhaustive either, so there may be other warning signs. If you are in doubt, contact OCBA, SAPOL or your legal advisor.

1. If someone is trying to scam you they will usually approach you in same way with an offer that sounds irresistible. But they may gloss over the details of their oifer, and instead rave to you about how the product or service will change your life, make you rich or assist some needy cause or person.
Warning sign: insufficient details are provided

2. The scammer will usually try to hurry you into making a decision, because they know that the further you investigate or research their offer, the more likely you are to reject it. They may tell you that the offer is only available for a limited time, or to a limited number of purchasers.
Warning sign: you are being rushed

3. There are offers that may come to you via post or email. They may tell you about someone who has had a horrendous life, in a country whose circumstances are such that you have no way to verify the facts, and then ask you for a donation. You may feel so disturbed by the story, that when you are asked for a donation, you may be inclined to send off your bank account or credit card details.
Warning sign: you are asked for bank details by someone you don't know and for a cause you can't check on
Warning sign: your emotions are engaged

4. You may be told that you have been the winner of a prlze draw or lottery, either in Australia or overseas, and the way for you to take up the win may be to send an entry cheque, or purchase a product or send your account detais.
Warning sign: you haven't entered the lottery you are supposed to have won

5. You may be told that the offer made to you is legal and made by a reputable, successful organisation but you may be asked to keep it confidential.
Warning sign: you don't know anything about the organisation involved in the offer
Warning sign: why do you think they have to pressure you that the offer is legal?

There are many other warning signs that you may now be able to recognise yourself from these examples. For instance:

6. You may be asked to send money to a post office box number and you can't find a street address or phone number or any other information, about the operator.

7. You may be told you will receive a financial reward for enlisting other people to a scheme that has no purpose other than to make money for participants, but you can't find out enough about what the scheme actually does or promotes or sells and so on.

Resources

Contact us about scams

Legislation for scams

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