Here’s how scammers exploit your weak moments with their new tricks

In an age of technology advancing at a breakneck pace, not just the gadgets in our lives but also the scammers are getting smarter. 

As we navigate the complexities of the digital world, it’s crucial to stay vigilant, especially since scammers have become adept at pinpointing when we’re most vulnerable and exploiting those moments to their advantage.

We understand that unscrupulous individuals often target Australians over 60. It’s a sad truth that as we age, we may become more susceptible to fraud, particularly when we’re going through challenging times such as the loss of a loved one, health issues, or financial stress.

Scammers prey on these vulnerabilities with a mix of sophisticated and old-school tactics designed to deceive and manipulate.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Scamwatch data, 249,448 reported scam cases were reported in 2024, amounting to over $300 million in losses.

The new breed of scammers is incredibly savvy, using a range of tools from social engineering to artificial intelligence to craft more convincing scams than ever. 

They scour social media for personal information, use phishing emails that mimic legitimate companies, and even employ deepfake technology to create realistic but fraudulent audio and video recordings.

One common tactic is the ‘grandparent scam’, in which a scammer calls an older person, pretending to be a grandchild in distress and urgently needing money. 

They play on the natural instinct to help family, and before you know it, you’ve transferred funds to a thief. 

Another is the ‘romance scam’, where scammers create fake profiles on dating sites to form a relationship with their targets, eventually convincing them to send money for a supposed emergency or to fund a visit that will never happen.

So, how can you protect yourself from these increasingly clever con artists? Here are some tips:

1. Stay Informed: Stay up to date with the latest scam alerts from reliable sources, such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch.

2. Think Twice: If you receive an unexpected contact or request for personal information or money, take a moment to consider the legitimacy of the request. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to cloud your judgment.

3. Verify Identities: If someone contacts you claiming to be a family member or a company representative, independently verify their identity through other means. Don’t use the contact details they provide.

4. Secure Your Information: Be cautious about the personal information you share online. Adjust your social media privacy settings and be wary of unsolicited emails or messages.

5. Use Strong Passwords: Ensure that all your accounts have strong, unique passwords, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.

6. Never Give Out Personal Details Over the Phone: Never give out your personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the recipient’s identity.

7. Report Scams: If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to authorities such as Scamwatch or the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This helps them track scam patterns and warn others.

Remember, scammers count on your emotional response. By staying calm, informed, and sceptical, you can protect yourself from their deceitful tactics. Have you or someone you know encountered a scam recently? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others stay alert. Together, we can outsmart the scammers and keep our wallets—and our peace of mind—secure.

Also read: Here’s why everyone needs to talk about scams