Scams are getting harder to spot. They show up everywhere we scroll:
Facebook Marketplace, Instagram DMs, TikTok Shop, Gumtree, text messages, emails, even from what looks like a celebrity account, an employer offering a “dream job,” or a “financial expert” promising to make you rich overnight.
The biggest warning sign? An offer that feels just a little too good to be true.
Before you click, buy, invest, apply, or send money, here’s how to slow down and vet an online deal or request safely.
Start With the “Gut Check”
Most scams hook you by creating urgency, excitement, or the fear of missing out.
If something seems extremely cheap, wildly profitable, or suspiciously generous, pause and ask:
- Why is this so cheap
- Why me?
- Why now?
Whether it is a crypto investment promising 400% returns in a month, a brand-new iPhone listed for $200, a “remote job” offering $3,000 a week for two hours of work, or a message from a celebrity who suddenly wants to be your boyfriend, your gut reaction is often your best defence.
Look for Real Photos and Real Details (When Shopping on a Public Marketplace)
Legitimate sellers generally provide:
- Multiple real photos
- Clear descriptions
- Sensible pricing
- Straightforward answers
Scammers often rely on:
- Google Images or stock photos
- Blurry pictures
- Copy-and-paste descriptions such as “brand new” or “works perfectly”
- Avoiding questions or changing their story
If the photos look like they belong on a store website rather than a home camera roll, be cautious, especially for Marketplace, sneaker sales, or high-demand tech items.
Check Their Profile, Not Just Their Product
Before buying, booking, investing, or engaging with an “employer”:
- See how long the profile has existed
- Read reviews or ratings
- Look for genuine posts or history
- Check if the location and details make sense
Red flags include:
- Brand-new accounts
- Zero sales or reviews
- Poor grammar or robotic responses
- Multiple items listed at impossibly low prices
- Strange backstories such as “I’m overseas right now but I can ship it today”
- “Recruiters” with no company information or mismatched job titles
Scammers constantly create new accounts to stay undetected.
Search the Offer Across Platforms
Copy and paste the product name, job ad, image, or suspicious text into:
- Google reverse image search
- Marketplace or social media search bars
This works especially well for:
- Fake online stores offering “70 per cent off everything”
- Random job listings for “package reshipping” or “mystery shopper” roles
- Stolen photos of real items
If the exact same image or wording appears in multiple scam reports, that is your answer.
Don’t Trust “Too Perfect” Reviews
Fake online stores, subscription scams, and job recruitment scams often use manufactured reviews.
Watch for:
- Dozens of five-star reviews all uploaded on the same day
- Generic usernames
- Repetitive, unnatural sentences
- No mixed or negative reviews at all
Real reviews look human, imperfect, and varied.
Verify the Website
If you have never heard of the shop, company, or recruiter, and everything is “80 percent off, today only” or “earn big money from home”:
- Check the URL, as scammers often add extra letters
- Look for working contact details
- Search “website or company name plus scam”
- Check return, refund, or recruitment policies
Fake online stores and fake job companies often appear right before busy periods such as Black Friday, Boxing Day, EOFY, or university semester breaks, and disappear within weeks.
Beware of Pressure Tactics
Scammers rely on speed. They might say:
- “This price is only for you, but you must pay now.”
- “I have other buyers waiting.”
- “This crypto price will jump in 30 minutes, invest fast.”
- “Your prize expires today, confirm your details now.”
- “We need to hire urgently, please pay for your onboarding pack immediately.”
If you feel rushed, it is a tactic, not an accident.
Watch for “Fantasy” Scenarios
Some offers don’t just seem cheap, and some messages aren’t just exciting, they’re downright impossible:
- A celebrity or influencer messaging you personally
- A brand offering you free products or a paid collaboration you never applied for (Especially if you have a private account or a small following)
- Winning a competition you did not enter
- A stranger wanting to “make you rich”
- A crypto “expert” guaranteeing daily returns
- A job recruiter offering huge pay for no experience
If it feels like a movie plot or a wish come true, it is probably a scam.
Trust the Boring Option
Real deals and real jobs look normal:
- Average prices
- Average pay
- Normal response times
- Real-world imperfections
If Deal A is unbelievable and Deal B is realistic, go with the boring one.
Scams survive on unbelievable offers.
When in Doubt, Step Away
You are never obligated to click, buy, invest, apply, or respond. If something feels off, even slightly, walk away. A scammer only wins if they get your money, your details, or your trust.
At the end of the day, every online offer comes down to one simple question: Is it too good to be true?
If the price, promise, or scenario feels impossible, rushed, or strangely perfect, take a step back. Ask yourself the gut-check questions, look for the red flags, and trust your instincts. Slowing down for even a moment can be the difference between a safe decision and a costly scam.
We’ve partnered with BankVic to help keep our community safe from scams and criminal activity while online! Stay up to date with the latest tips and information in one convenient place, empowering you to prevent online crime and outsmart scammers. Together, we can create a safer internet for everyone!
Read articles here.
Been scammed?
Step 1
If you have given any financial details or have already lost money, contact your bank immediately.
It’s also important to change your passwords, monitor your accounts closely, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
Step 2
Report the scam to police at cyber.gov.au or at your nearest police station.
Additionally, report the scam to Scamwatch and your local authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
If you think you have been scammed online, IDCARE can help for free! Call 1800 595 160 or visit their website www.idcare.org
Step 3
Getting scammed online does not mean you are not smart. Cybercrime keeps changing, so anyone can be a target. Do not be embarrassed or hard on yourself! Learn about new scams and take steps to stay safe instead.
If you need support after falling victim to a scam talk to friends and family or contact:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Step 4
If you have given any financial details or have already lost money, contact your bank immediately.aFinally, talk about different types of emerging scams and if you have been scammed share your experience with family and friends so they can better recognise the signs of scams.
Smart Scam Guide
Download a comprehensive guide to spotting scams. Download to learn about the most common scams and what to do if you have fallen victim to one.
