Scams are on the rise, with scammers targeting business owners through emails, text messages, or phone calls. Stay alert and take the time to analyse any messages you receive.

Here's a list of common signs of a scam to help you protect your business:

  • Spelling mistakes - The easiest way to spot a scam is to look for spelling mistakes. Scam messages often include typos or misspelt words.
  • Receiving a message from someone you do not know - Scammers will often impersonate a business or organisation. If you get a message from a business or organisation that you are not a customer of, it could be a scam.
  • Asking for your login details - Scammers may ask for your login details or send you a fake login webpage to steal your personal information. Most businesses will not ask for your login details out of the blue. It's best to get in contact with the business to confirm.
  • Receiving an unknown email asking you to click on a link or download files - Scammers may send an email with links or files that may be unsafe and contain viruses, do not click on them.
  • Wanting you to act immediately - Scammers may use words such as 'urgent' or 'limited time deal' to make you feel pressured to act fast. Be careful, take time to read and research before actioning as this may be a scam.
  • Vague terms - If the message starts with 'Dear customer', avoids using your name or seems unrelated to you, it might be a scam.
  • Asking for payment in unusual ways - If another business is asking for you to pay in a specific way, such as a gift card, it's a scam. 

Remember, if you're unsure about a suspicious message, don't respond and don't click on links. If you think you're a victim of a scam, it is important you know how to report and recover.

Find out how to get help and report a cybercrime.

Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre

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