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With the increase in cybercrime, everyone is worried about getting scammed.

Phishing is when someone contacts you and pretends to be from a reputable organisation to try and get personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers.

These calls, emails and texts can look and sound like the real deal! That鈥檚 why so many more people are getting caught out.

The Australian Government has some good advice and resources for how to recognise a scam and be safer online.

Don鈥檛 fall for scams in two steps

First, check if it is a scam

1. Know what to look for. Common  include phishing emails and texts, dating scams and phone calls from fake products or organisations.
2. Go direct to a source you can trust. Look up the official website, log in to your account, or call their phone number. Don’t use the links or contact details in the message or given to you on the phone.
3. Check what your organisation says. Most organisations and agencies will have a public notice about what they will and will not ask you online or over the phone. For example, the bank may tell you that they will never ask for your password. If someone claiming to be from the bank then asks you for your password, you know it is likely to be a scam.

Then, if you still think it鈥檚 a scam

1. Don鈥檛 click on links, open any attachments or reply to requests.鈥疭cam messages and callers may try and trick you into giving out your personal information such as your bank account details, passwords or credit card numbers. They may also ask you to download files, software, or allow remote access to your computer.鈥�
2. Contact your bank. Contact your financial institution if you think your credit cards or bank account may be at risk. They may be able to close your account or stop a transaction.鈥�
3. Report鈥痑 cybercrime via鈥� and Scamwatch if you have fallen victim to a scam.

TAG representative and Editorial Committee member Mary Conyard says:

I never say yes to anyone who rings me about solar, electricity, phone providers or any other sales. I always ask for their name and contact number and say that I will think about it and ring them back if I decide to take their offer. They do not like this. I also ring the number they gave me and 99% it is not connected.

Mary says:

• If you are not sure and find it hard to find a contact name, address or phone number of any company do not say yes to them or reply to their email. By replying they can put a virus into your computer
• Look at the email address and if it has letters that is not a word then delete the email
• Contact Service NSW – they have links and helpful suggestions on how to make sure that you are aware of scammers
• If English is not your first language, you can find scam support here –