In 2022, I decided to sell a gold coin on eBay. Little did I know that just two months later, I’d fall victim to a scam that left me frustrated and angry, questioning how it could happen to me.
Unfortunately, many Australians have experienced similar moments of vulnerability, leading to financial losses and a harsh lesson in online safety.
In today’s world, where nearly everything—personal and financial—is handled online, safeguarding your digital identity has never been more challenging.
As scammers become more sophisticated, digital scams targeting our identities are on the rise. They’re not just after your money; they want your personal information, too.
From impersonating authority figures to crafting fake, urgent messages, these cybercriminals are always finding new ways to exploit us and those we care about.
As we dive into the common scams circulating in 2024, including the notorious Linkt and Pay ID scams, it’s important to understand the methods behind these deceptions and how you can stay one step ahead.
What Is A Digital Scam?
A digital scam is a fraudulent activity carried out online, where cybercriminals attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information or transferring money.
These scams come in many forms, from fake emails and text messages to fraudulent social media posts or websites.
Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations like banks, government agencies, or even popular services, luring people into sharing personal information, which is then used for identity theft or financial fraud.
How Much Money Australians Lose To Digital Scams Each Year
Digital scams are a costly problem for Australians, with millions of dollars lost each year. In 2024 already, Australians lost over $150 million to cybercriminals, according to the ACCC’s Scam Watch.
The rise in online activity, particularly after the pandemic, has provided scammers with more opportunities to trick individuals into parting with their hard-earned money.
Unfortunately, this trend is not slowing down, and scammers continue to develop more sophisticated methods to target vulnerable Australians.
Who The Scams Target
While anyone can fall victim to a digital scam, certain groups are often more at risk. Older people are particularly targeted, as they may be less familiar with digital platforms and technology.
Scammers exploit this lack of familiarity, posing as legitimate organisations to extract personal or financial information.
However, young adults and tech-savvy individuals are not immune. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier for anyone—regardless of their tech knowledge—to be fooled.
Common Digital Scams Targeting Australians
Australians face a variety of scams, and some are more prevalent than others. Here are some of the most common digital scams circulating in 2024:
Linkt Scam Text
The Linkt Scam typically involves fraudulent messages or emails falsely claiming that you have unpaid tolls. Consequently, these messages direct you to fake websites specifically designed to steal your personal and payment details.
Since the messages appear official and credible, many people unwittingly hand over sensitive information, only realising too late that they’ve been scammed.
At present, there are three types of Linkt scam texts that we are aware of:
- Collection House Linkt Scam SMS
- Linkt Scam Brand SMS
- Linkt Scam Branded Toll Relief Scam
Here’s what they look like:
For a full list of scams and what they look like, you can visit the official Linkt website. By being vigilant and knowing the signs, you can avoid falling victim to Linkt scams.
Remember, it's always better to be on the side of caution than risk having your sensitive information compromised.
Pay iD Scam
The PayID scam commonly targets users on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Scammers typically pose as either buyers or sellers, requesting payment via PayID while sending fake emails from "banks" or "PayID" itself.
These fake emails are designed to deceive you into transferring funds, which often end up being irreversible.
What’s even more alarming is that these scammers often use intermediary accounts, making it incredibly difficult to trace the recipients of your money.
As a result, victims are left out of pocket with no goods in return and little chance of recovering their funds.
ATO Scam
The ATO scam is another prevalent fraud, where scammers impersonate officials from the Australian Taxation Office.
Victims are contacted by phone or email, informed that they owe back taxes, and threatened with legal consequences if they don’t act immediately.
This tactic is specifically designed to create panic, pressuring individuals into quickly transferring money or disclosing sensitive personal information.
These scams are also strategically timed around tax season, preying on the confusion and urgency many Australians feel during this busy period, which unfortunately leads to more people falling for the scheme.
MyGov Scam
Scammers pretending to be MyGov representatives have been sending fake emails and SMS messages, urging recipients to update their personal information through fraudulent websites.
This scam is particularly effective because MyGov is the central platform for accessing various government services, lending an air of legitimacy to the scam.
By leveraging this trust, scammers trick individuals into handing over personal data, which can then be used for identity theft or financial fraud.
Each of these scams shares the same goal: to exploit trust and urgency, leaving victims in a vulnerable position.
How You Can Prevent Digital Scams
Preventing scams requires a combination of vigilance and knowledge. Here are some practical steps to protect yourself from falling victim to digital scams:
- Stay informed: Regularly check trusted sources like Scam Watch for updates on new scams and tactics that scammers are using.
- Be sceptical of unsolicited communications: If you receive an unexpected email, SMS, or call from an organisation asking for personal details or payment, always verify its authenticity by contacting the organisation directly.
- Don't click on suspicious links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages, especially if they direct you to unfamiliar websites.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Regularly update your passwords and avoid using the same one across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making it harder for scammers to gain access.
Conclusion
In a world where much of our daily life happens online, staying vigilant against digital scams is more important than ever.
With millions of dollars lost to scams each year, it’s crucial to protect yourself by understanding how these scams work and adopting best practices to safeguard your personal information.
From the Linkt and PayID scams to impersonations of government agencies like ATO and Medicare, these fraud attempts can happen to anyone.
By staying cautious and informed, you can reduce the risk of falling victim and help others while you're at it too.
