Text at the top says "Scams Awareness Week 25-29 August". A woman is holding an electronic tablet, a woman has walking aids, and a man is looking straight ahead. Text also says "Stop. Check. Protect."

In Scams Awareness Week 2025 we’re providing advice about the latest scam warnings and tips to help protect yourself from scams.

In the first half of 2025, South Australians reported losing $5.9 million to scams, with investment scams topping the list for the total amount lost, followed by romance scams and IT support scams. The most common method of scams contact was email, followed by phone call and text message.

Scams target people of all ages and can rob people of their money, personal details, trust and confidence. But there are 3 simple steps you can take to spot and avoid scams.

1. STOP

Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone.

Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.

What to do:

  • Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
  • Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
  • Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
  • Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.

2. CHECK

Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real.

Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.

What to do:

  • Contact the organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
  • Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources, Iike the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
  • Get a second opinion from family, friends or professionals.

3. PROTECT

Act quickly if something feels wrong.

The sooner you take action, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.

What to do:

  • Contact your bank immediately it you think you’ve lost money or shared financial details
  • Contact IDCARE if you’ve shared personal information - they can help you create a plan to limit damage
  • Report the scam to Scamwatch, or report a cybercrime to ReportCyber to help protect others
  • Change passwords and security details if you think they’ve been compromised
  • Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
  • Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
  • Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Videos: fighting scams

See some tips from the CBS Commissioner in these short videos.

Hi, I'm Brett Humphrey.

I'm the Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services, and here's my tip for Scams Awareness Week.

Scammers like to deceive you into believing you get an incredible deal or offer.

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

So stop, check and protect yourself from scams.

Hi, I'm Brett Humphrey.

I'm the Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services, and here's my tip for Scams Awareness Week.

Scammers will send you links to click that take you to websites that will steal your information and money.

Don’t click on any links unless you’re completely sure who you are dealing with.

Stop, check and protect yourself from scams.

About Scams Awareness Week

Scams Awareness Week is an annual national campaign, focused on raising awareness about scams and encouraging Australians to work together to stay safe from scammers.

The week is a collaborative effort between government, business, community groups, consumer protection groups, educational organisations and individuals to promote scam awareness. Everyone has a part to play in shutting down scammers. Together, we can help make sure all Australians can stay safe from scams.