Stop. Check. Protect. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from scams.
It’s scam awareness week, this week, 25 – 29 August 2025. When it comes to scams, anyone of us can be tricked. That’s why it’s important to talk about scams, learn, and take action to protect ourselves and others.
Hear from real scam victims about how scammers manipulated them into giving up money and personal details – hearing their story can help you spot and avoid scams.
At the Public Trustee, we are committed to supporting our represented clients, especially those who may be at a higher risk of being scammed due to their vulnerabilities. We work closely to support them make safe and informed decisions about their finances.
Here’s what you can do to help protect yourself against scams.
1. Stop: Always take a moment before giving money or personal information to anyone. Don’t rush to make decisions. Remember you can:
- say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
- trust your instincts
- take time to think before responding or acting.
2. Check: Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Always verify who you are really dealing with before taking action. You can:
- contact the organisation directly – find their email or phone number on their official website or app
- research, especially for investment opportunities
- get a second opinion from friends, family or professionals.
3. Protect: The sooner you take action, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers. Report a scam to ScamWatch. You can also:
- change your password
- contact IDCARE if you need help after sharing personal information
- monitor your bank statements for unusual activity
- tell the impersonated organisation about the scam.
Being scammed can feel overwhelming. You can get support from Lifeline by calling 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
