Scammers are good at their job. They don’t rely on you being careless — they rely on you being human: busy, trusting, and caught at a bad moment. The good news is that almost every scam, no matter how sophisticated, leans on the same handful of tricks.
Here are the five that catch the most people. If you learn to spot even one of them, you’ve already made yourself a much harder target. The rule of thumb is simple: if you notice any of these, stop and verify before you do anything.
1. Urgency and pressure
This is the scammer’s favourite tool. A message says your account will be closed, a payment has failed, or a warrant is out for your arrest — and you must act right now. The pressure is the point. It’s designed to push you into reacting before you’ve had a chance to think.
What it looks like: “Your account has been suspended. Verify within 24 hours or it will be permanently deleted.” Or a phone call insisting you stay on the line and not hang up.
The tell: Real banks, government departments and reputable companies give you time. They don’t threaten you, and they don’t mind if you hang up and call them back on an official number.
2. Unusual ways to pay
How a scammer asks to be paid is one of the biggest giveaways. Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or moving your money to a “safe account” are all huge warning signs. These payment methods are fast, hard to trace, and almost impossible to reverse — which is exactly why criminals love them.
What it looks like: “To clear this fine, please buy $500 in iTunes gift cards and read me the codes.” Or “Our systems have been hacked — quickly move your savings to this secure account we’ve set up for you.”
The tell: No legitimate bank, utility, government agency or business will ever ask you to pay with gift cards or move money to “keep it safe.” That request alone is proof it’s a scam.
3. Contact you weren’t expecting
A lot of scams begin with a message that simply arrives out of nowhere — a text about a parcel you didn’t order, a call about car insurance you don’t have, an email about a tax refund you never claimed, or a friend request from a stranger who’s suddenly very interested in you.
What it looks like: “AusPost: your package is held pending a $3.40 fee. Pay here: [link].” Or an unexpected call claiming to be “from the technical department” about a problem with your computer.
The tell: Unexpected contact isn’t automatically a scam — but it should always raise your guard. Don’t click the link or trust the caller. Go to the company directly, using a number or website you find yourself.
4. Requests for codes, passwords or access
A genuine organisation will never need your password, your PIN, the one-time code they just texted you, or remote control of your device. Scammers ask for these because they’re the keys to your accounts and your money.
What it looks like: “We’ve sent a verification code to your phone — can you read it back to confirm it’s really you?” Or “Just install this app so I can fix the problem on your computer.”
The tell: That six-digit code is the last line of defence on your account. Anyone asking you to share it — or to install screen-sharing software — is trying to get in, not help you out. Never hand it over.
5. Too good to be true
If an offer sparks more excitement than sense, slow down. Guaranteed investment returns, a surprise lottery win, an unbelievable bargain, or a new online romance that moves quickly toward money — these all play on hope rather than fear, but the goal is the same.
What it looks like: “Invest $200 and earn $2,000 in a week, guaranteed.” Or a warm, attentive new partner you’ve never met in person who soon has an emergency and needs your help with money.
The tell: Real investments carry risk and never guarantee returns. Real prizes don’t require an upfront fee. And anyone you’ve only met online who asks for money is a red flag, no matter how genuine they seem.
The one habit that beats almost every scam
You don’t need to memorise every scam going around. You just need one habit: when something feels off, stop and check it yourself.
Hang up and call the organisation back on a number from their official website or the back of your card. Don’t use the links or numbers the message gave you. Take a breath. Ask someone you trust. Scammers count on you not pausing — so pausing is your best protection.
And if you’re ever not sure, that’s exactly what this community is for. Post your question in Online Safety and someone here can help you take a second look before you act. There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to keeping your money and information safe.
Posted by PeopleShield, verified Navigator for Online Safety on SameBoat.