How do scammers get your information?
Scammers use deceptive emails, texts, or create fake websites to trick you into entering sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. Find out more about types of phishing scams.
Fake websites are deceptive sites designed to trick users into providing personal information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers. They often look like legitimate websites and can be hard to identify. These sites are commonly used in phishing scams, where scammers include a link to the fraudulent website in an email or message.
Scammers sometimes steal mail from mailboxes to obtain sensitive information like credit card statements or tax documents.
Scammers will take wallets, laptops, documents and any other types of personal information they find.
Scammers sometimes steal mail from mailboxes to obtain sensitive information like credit card statements or tax documents.
Tips to spot & deal with identity theft
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Be suspicious of
- Unexpected emails, text messages, or social media messages asking for personal information or containing suspicious links.
- Phone calls from unknown numbers, especially if the caller asks for personal or financial information.
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Do your checks
- Review your social media profiles to check what personal information you have available, and who can see it. Consider making your profile private or deleting content that can identify you, your location or other personal information.
- Check your bank contact details are up-to-date so we can let you know if we notice any suspicious transactions on your accounts.
- Verify the web address (URL) of websites before entering personal information. Look for signs of legitimacy, such as HTTPS and a padlock icon in the address bar which indicate a secure site.
- Monitor your bank accounts for any unusual or unexpected transactions.
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Act with confidence
- Be cautious about the information you share online and consider making your social media profiles private.
- Avoid accessing sensitive information while using public Wi-Fi networks. This includes online banking.
- Destroy your paper-based documents that contain personal information, don't just throw them away.
- Promptly collect mail from your letterbox to prevent thieves from stealing sensitive documents.
- Keep your personal documents secure e.g. in a home safe.
Scammers change their tactics regularly
Visit latest scams to stay across current risks and tips to protect yourself.
Helpful resources
What to do if you've been scammed
Anyone can fall for a scam. If you suspect that you've been scammed, get in touch with us as soon as possible.
Take action
If you've been scammed, move quickly. See what steps to take to help reduce the impact.
I've been scammed24/7 support
Fraud and scam support is available around the clock. Call 0800 113 355 or +64 4 473 1133 from overseas.
Call 0800 113 355Protect yourself
Simple actions can significantly improve your online and financial security.
What you can do
Social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and X contain a wealth of personal information within your images, videos and written updates. Scammers gather personal information that you share publicly, such as your name, birthday, and hometown, which can be used to answer security questions or open fraudulent accounts in your name.
They might use your profile pictures and personal details to create fake accounts and impersonate you, tricking your friends and family into sharing more personal information or sending money.
Scammers can also use information about your activities, hobbies, and whereabouts to try to scam you. For example, they might call you pretending to be from your bank, using knowledge of your recent activities as proof of their identity.