Threat and penalty scams

What to look for

• You’re contacted without warning on the phone, email or social media by someone pretending to be from a government agency, law enforcement, phone/utility company, or potential friend or partner.
• The scammer creates a sense of urgency by making threats of arrest, deportation, police investigation or other serious penalty.
• If you’re on a call with the scammer, they’ll often want you to stay on the phone while you follow their instructions. 
• Scammers often ask for payments through unusual methods such as cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, cash deposits, international money transfers and gift cards/store cards.

Any behaviour or requests like this are a red flag. You should end the call immediately. 

How to protect yourself

1. Stop. Does something seem off? If in doubt, the best thing to do is stop. Take a breath.
2. Check. Ask someone you trust or contact the organisation the message claims to be from
3. Reject. Block the text, delete the email, don’t click the link or hang up on the caller. Change your passwords.

Scamwatch advises:

• Don’t be pressured by a threatening caller. Stop, think and check whether their story is true
• A government agency or trusted company will never ask you to pay by unusual methods such as by gift or store cards, iTunes vouchers, wire transfers or bitcoins
• If you receive a phone call from someone threatening you and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond
• Don’t use any contact details provided by the caller. Verify their identity by calling the relevant organisation directly—find them through an independent source such as a phone book, past bill or online search
• Don't respond to texts or emails. If you do, the scammers will increase their intimidation and attempts to get your money
• Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust and never by email or over the phone
• Never share suspicious links to family or friends. Warn them if you come into contact with a scam, so they can take the necessary steps to protect themselves too
• If you're concerned for your safety, contact the police

Download our threat and penalty scam factsheet (PDF)

下载我们的威胁及惩罚骗局资料单 -- 简体中文（PDF)