According to , there have been 77,239 reported scams in 2024 and 2025. 30,516 of these scams (almost half) have affected people aged 55 and older.
Link Wentworth wants to arm you with the knowledge to protect yourself from scams. Any one can be targeted by a scammer. However, with the right knowledge and understanding, you may be better prepared to protect yourself from scammers.
What are scams?
A scam is an illegal act, where a criminal decieves you into giving them your money or personal details.
There are many different types of scams, including:
- Investment scams. This is where the scammer tricks you into investing money into a false scheme, such as real estate or stocks. Investment scams are the most common type of scam in New South Wales in 2024 and 2025.
- Romance scams. This is where a scammer lures you into a relationship before asking you for money.
- Buying or selling scams. This is where the scammer tries to sell you a fake product in order to get your money or credit card details.
For a full list of scams and what they can look like, .
Resources to help you understand and protect yourself from scams
In response to the rising prevalance of scams, NSW Police have created the below resources on scam awareness. Please click on each of the resources to view and download.
What should I do if I’ve been scammed?
How to protect yourself from scammers
How to protect your debit cards