The scams doing the rounds this month, what they look like when they reach you, and the one move that stops each. Share it with someone you care about.
Almost every scam below gives itself away the same way: it creates urgency and points you to a link or a payment. Slow down at that moment and you've already won.
1. The "tap this link" text message
A text says you've missed a parcel (Australia Post), owe a toll (Linkt), or have a refund waiting (myGov or the ATO) - with a link to tap. Fake Linkt toll texts in particular have flooded phones lately.
The giveaway: Australia Post, Linkt, myGov and the ATO have all stopped putting links in their texts. A link in one of these means it's a scam - every time. The myGov version is the most dangerous, as it's after your tax and bank details.
What to do: Don't tap. Open the real app, or type the website address yourself. (New clue from 1 July: your phone will label texts from unregistered senders as "Unverified" - but the no-links rule still wins.)
2. The "Hi Mum" message - now with a familiar voice
A message from an unknown number: "Hi Mum, I lost my phone, this is my new number" - then, after a friendly chat, an urgent request for money. The newer version is a phone call in a voice that sounds exactly like your grandchild (scammers can now copy a voice from a few seconds of audio).
The giveaway: A new number, a sudden emergency, and a request for money or gift cards.
What to do: Don't reply or pay - call the person back on the number you already have for them. Agree a family code word now, so a real emergency call can be proven genuine. (See our guide: the grandchild scam.)
3. The celebrity "investment" from social media
A polished video of someone famous promoting an investment with "guaranteed" returns. You sign up, a friendly "advisor" calls, and a dashboard shows your balance climbing - until you try to withdraw and hit endless "fees" and delays. One Australian woman lost her life savings this exact way.
The giveaway: A celebrity endorsement online, returns too good to be true, and trouble getting your money out.
What to do: Never invest through a social media link. Check the company on the Government's Moneysmart website, and talk to family first.
Also worth a mention this month: "Microsoft Support" pop-ups and calls asking to take control of your computer (hang up - real companies never cold-call you about a virus), and online romance scams that eventually ask for money (a Melbourne woman recently lost $646,000 this way).
Do not restart or shut down your device. Call Microsoft Support now on 1800 000 000 to remove the threat.
This month's takeaway: urgency + a link or a payment = stop and check. Genuine organisations are always happy for you to hang up and call them back.
Not sure about something that's landed on your phone? You don't have to work it out alone - give us a call, or run through our Online Safety Checklist any time.
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