Phishing might sound like the recreational activity many of us enjoy over summer, but it is something far more sinister. Phishing is a common scam used to lure unsuspecting people into handing over valuable personal information.

“Cybercriminals send out hundreds of thousands of emails or text messages or even make phone calls, hoping that a fish will bite… that somebody will take the bait,” BankVic’s Chief Information Officer, Scott Wall, told Crime Stoppers Victoria during the Let’s Talk Scams podcast.

Victims can be contacted in many ways such as by phone call, text, email, and even on social media. Scammers often claim to be from a reputable company and convince their target to verify or update personal details, such as bank account numbers, passwords or further personal details. These details can then be used to steal money online and in some cases lead to identity theft.

In 2021, phishing cost Australians close to $4 million dollars, with men mainly targeted, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s Scamwatch.

So what can you do to protect yourself from getting hooked into a phishing scam?

• Avoid clicking on links or attachments sent through email or phone that ask you for personal details.
• Never provide personal details, credit card information or online account information if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank or other organisation. Instead, ask the caller for their name and number, and check this with the bank or organisation independently.
• Watch out for spelling or grammatical errors in emails or texts claiming to be from a reputable company. This could be a sign you’re dealing with a phishing scam.
• If you’ve been directed to a website through an email or phone message, double check the website’s address. Minor differences may indicate a fake website, for example crimestoppersvic.com.au (legitimate) vs. www.crimestoppervictoria.com.au (fake).
• Do a Google search of the text inside the email or phone message. If it’s a scam, there may be a reference to it on a site such as Scamwatch.
• Delete the suspicious email or phone message.

It’s a great idea to share these tips with your loved ones to help protect them, too. Last year, over-65s lost the most money to phishing scams, so a simple conversation with a family member or friend about what to look out for, could prevent them from falling victim to a cybercriminal.

If you think you’ve handed over your banking details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution straight away. If you’re a BankVic member, get in touch here.

Keep your eye out for more information about common scams and staying safe online as part of the Crime Stoppers Victoria and BankVic’s Online Safety Series 2022.