Scams are a serious problem that affect millions of people every year. Scams are when people trick you into giving them your money or information. They can cause financial loss, emotional distress, and damage to trust and relationships. However, many people feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about scams, or they don’t know how to start a conversation with their loved ones or authorities.
Scams Awareness Week is from 26-30 August 2024. The theme is “Share a story, stop a scam”. We can help others by telling them about scams. But how do we talk about scams?
Here are some tips on how to talk about scams before, during, and after they happen.
Before a scam
The best way to stop scams is to learn about them and tell others. You can do these things:
- Chat with a friend, family member, or your partner about scams. You can tell them your stories or worries or ask them questions. This can help to remove the stigma surrounding scams.
- Find out how to spot a scam. The Scamwatch website has information about the latest scams and how to avoid them. You can also sign up for alerts and newsletters.
- Know who to call or report if you see a scam. You can contact Scamwatch, your bank, your local police, or other groups. They can help you stop the scam and protect your money and information.
During a scam
If someone tries to scam you, or you think you are in a scam, don’t worry. You can do these steps:
- Don’t talk to the scammer or if you’re already in a conversation, stop talking to them. Scammers lie and will try to manipulate you into giving them money, personal details, or access to your devices. Don’t listen to them or do what they say.
- Call your bank or money service FIRST. If you gave your bank or card details to a scammer, or you sent them money, you need to act fast. Call your bank or money service and tell them what happened. They may be able to get your money back or stop more losses.
- Tell Scamwatch or other authorities about the scam. This can help them catch the scammers, warn others, and stop the scam. You can also tell the website or app where you met the scammer, such as a social media site, a dating app, or a e-commerce website.
- Tell your friends, family, and network about the scam. This can help them not fall for the same or similar scams, and also help you feel better and get advice. You don’t have to feel ashamed or alone, as scams can happen to anyone, and you have people who care about you.
After a scam
If you have been scammed, or you got away from a scam, you may feel many things, like angry, sad, scared, or guilty. You may also have some problems, like financial troubles, identity theft, or legal issues. Here are some ways you can cope and recover from a scam:
- Get help and support. You can talk to someone who can help you, like a counsellor, a therapist, a helpline, or a support group. You can also get legal, financial, or technical help from experts or groups that can help you with your situation.
- Help stop others from being scammed. You can share your story and your experiences with others, online or offline, to teach people about scams. You can also join or support campaigns or groups that try to prevent or fight scams, like Scams Awareness Week or the National Anti-Scam Centre.
- Take care of yourself. You can do things that make you feel good and calm, like meditation, exercise, or hobbies.
Scams are a serious problem that affect millions of people every year. But by normalising conversations about scams before, during, and after they happen, we can help ourselves and others to stop, deal with, and recover from scams. We can also make a safer and more supportive community that can stand up to scammers and protect our rights and interests.