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As scams evolve, so can you
Scams are growing in sophistication every day. We’re here to help raise your awareness and increase your scam prevention knowledge so you can spot scams and protect yourself against them. We all have a role to play.
Latest scams alerts
Stay informed on the latest scams. Get up-to-date information on how scams work and what to look out for so you can protect yourself.
Think twice before you act
Pause
Were you expecting this call, email or offer? Take a second, breathe, and think. Does this feel right? If in doubt, don’t act.
Process
Have you been asked to respond to something urgently such as a delivery notification or request for bank details? Before actioning, take some time to think through whether this is a legitimate piece of correspondence. If you’re unsure, ask someone you can trust.
Proceed
Always navigate to the organisation’s website yourself to log in.
Watch the video —
It only takes one slip up
Scammers are evolving their techniques to become more convincing, with sophisticated emails and carefully crafted imitations.
If something feels wrong, your instinct is probably right.
Make sure you know what to look for. Take a moment to pause and think twice before you act.
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How to avoid scams in Australia: your reference guide
12 minutes read
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to part Australians from their hard-earned money, but some simple steps and habits can help keep your savings safe. This guide outlines common techniques employed by scammers and how to identify and avoid them.
Woman smiling while sitting in front of computer
Woman smiling while sitting in front of computer
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New patterns emerging in the way scammers are working
Scammers already know how to get in touch with you, and your vigilance is more important than ever as their impersonation know-how improves.
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We’re here to help you
Report a scam
If you receive any suspicious emails or communications impersonating Macquarie, please forward them to scams@macquarie.com.
Additional resources
Security and scams
Arm yourself with information on the latest scams and fraud activity. Learn how to protect yourself with useful tips to help you stay safe online and beyond.
Fraud knowledge hub
As fraud grows in sophistication and frequency every day, it’s important to know what to look out for. Find out more about common fraud types and how to protect yourself.
Frequently asked questions
The most common scams share some key characteristics. When it comes to protecting yourself from scams, it’s important to be vigilant around providing personal information or making payments to an account.
Characteristics of a scam:
- you’re contacted out of the blue
- there’s a sense of urgency to act quickly
- it sounds too good to be true.
If you’re being offered a product or investment at a much lower price than normal or promised a return much larger than what you might get from the bank, you may be falling for a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Scammers rely on building trust with their victims before exploiting this relationship for financial gain. Ask yourself if you really know the person you’re talking to. It’s important to seek independent advice around investments.
To find a registered financial adviser, refer to ASIC’s MoneySmart tool at moneysmart.gov.au/
If you suspect that you may have fallen for a scam, you should cease all contact with the party you’ve been communicating with. You should get in contact with the police to report the matter, as well as your bank to assist you with recovering funds.
The Australian government collects data on common scams and provides up to date information online.
To report a scam to us, please call 133 174 (or from international locations, +61 2 8245 4470).
For information about common scams, go to scamwatch.gov.au or refer to ASIC's MoneySmart tool, available at moneysmart.gov.au/scams
To help you better protect yourself, visit our page for the latest scams around at the moment.
Additional information
This information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial investment decision or a decision about whether to acquire a product, a person should obtain and review the offer documents relating to that product and also seek independent financial, legal and taxation advice. Lending criteria, fees and T&Cs apply. We make no guarantee concerning the accuracy of data and information contained on third party websites.