Full calendars. Endless lists of admin tasks. The happy chaos that always seems slightly bigger than the capacity we have to carry it. Modern life means managing a lot of moving parts, which is precisely the kind of situation scammers like to prey on.
According to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s 2025 report, Aussies lost a staggering $2.18 billion to scams last year alone. AI, phishing and impersonation scams have all become frighteningly convincing, designed to infiltrate when our guards are down. Yet folks who help protect themselves from these rather advanced scams all have one thing in common: proactive awareness and ongoing conversations about potential risks.
The "vibe check" rule
While the ACCC reports that text-message scams have decreased in frequency in recent years, there were still nearly 30,000 Australians impacted in 2025. If a text or email feels a little off, show it to someone you trust before responding. Sometimes a five-second pause and sense-check can be the difference between falling for a scam and avoiding one.
Safe words
Having a code word with loved ones is useful for many reasons, particularly with teens who might spend extended periods outside of the home and need a discreet way to let a parent know they need to be picked up. But they can also work to help ward off impersonation scams, too. Having a safe word that close family and friends know can help verify that the person on the other end of the text-message or email asking for an emergency transfer really is who they claim to be.
Call-back culture
Got a text or a voicemail from a loved one asking for a call back on an unknown number? Make it a habit that no matter what, you first attempt to call them on their known, saved contact number to confirm.
Marketplace buddy system
Financial losses to online-based scams increased by 21 per cent last year1, which means that vintage ’70s couch you found on an online marketplace might not be as risk-free as it looks. Implement a system that helps you check listings with a trusted friend or family member before agreeing to anything. Then, ensure you and a loved one are able to see the item in person before you part with any money. Two sets of eyes are much better than one, particularly when bargain-fever hits.
Multi-factor as a team
Tech defences are just as important as behavioural ones and it’s easy to get lax with passwords and sign-ons. While the beloved family dog might have provided many a trusty password over the years, sophisticated AI hacking technology necessitates that everyone gets comfortable with multi-factor authentication for their devices and accounts to help provide an extra layer of protection.
The “no shame” pact
Accidentally falling victim to a dodgy link is unfortunate. Keeping quiet about it due to fear of being shamed or blamed can mean scams go unreported and those impacted don’t receive help available. Australians over 65 accounted for 26.5 per cent of total scam losses last year2, so every generation needs to feel safe reporting a mistake, acting quickly to limit damage.
Out in the open
Normalise discussing these issues around the dinner table or out with mates. The more awareness every generation has (and yes, this includes grandma and grandpa), the easier it is to spot red flags – and help protect everyone’s finances from external threats.