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.
In 2024, Australians recorded a combined loss of $2.03 billion to scams. While this is 25.9% less than the previous year, the impact of scams is still devastating to many Australians.
This Scams Awareness Week (25-29 August 2025), we'll be talking about 3 simple steps: Stop. Check. Protect. to keep us all safe from scams:
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 give money or personal information to anyone if unsure
- Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
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 ASIC
- Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals.
PROTECT.
Act quickly it 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. Australian Mutual Bank members can speak to our Fraud Team by calling 13 61 91 (Monday to Friday 8:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am - 11:30am, Sydney time).
- Contact IDCARE if you’ve shared personal information - they can help you create a plan to limit damage.
- Report scams to Scamwatch 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.
- Beware of follow up scams, particularly ones promising to help you get your money back.
- Being scammed can feel overwhelming. If you or someone you know has been impacted and may need ongoing help, there are support services available. These avenues of support are available to help, listen and believe.
- For more information on how Australian Mutual Bank protects members, refer to our Security advice section or keep up to date with the latest scams and learn more about how to protect yourself.
Customer-owned banks are dedicated to safeguarding their customers from scams and fraud. Find out more about the banking industry’s Scam-Safe Accord here, an initiative that represents a united front against scammers and reinforces the banking sector's determination to strengthen consumer protection.
