Everyone has a part to play in shutting down criminal scammers. By talking to each other, we can make sure no one is alone in the fight against scams.
From 26-30 August, Scams Awareness Week is encouraging all Australians to speak up, share and report scams to help others identify, avoid, report and recover from scams.
Sharing scam stories makes others in the community aware of the scams that are out there, and how they can avoid them. Scams can be reported here via the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch.
Available to comment:
Dr Kate Gould, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Research Fellow with the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Monash School of Psychological Sciences.
Contact details: +61 473 370 030, or [email protected]
Read more of Dr Gould’s commentary at Monash Lens
- Understanding and improving quality of life, psychiatric, cognitive and behavioural outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI)
- Monash Cyberability project to help those with disabilities who have been scammed
- New Monash University group therapy program helping people who have been scammed.
The following can be attributed to Dr Gould:
“Trust is essential in a functioning society. But we also need to be alert for scammers that abuse our trust. Through the use of social engineering, scammers copy trusted brands’ websites or phone numbers, use bots to make fake reviews, and may spend time discussing common interests or difficulties. Scammers also use emotional manipulation to exert pressure for a quick response. For example, if you don’t send money now you’ll be in trouble legally. Everyone should form a habit of stopping and checking with a trusted source before responding to anything suspicious. While anyone can be scammed, people with a disability can be particularly vulnerable, and may need tailored support to avoid and deal with the practical, financial and emotional impact of scams.
“We're still learning about how to support someone to re-emerge from this manipulation and adjust to what’s happened. Those affected might experience feelings of shame, but it’s never their fault. They need to know that they are not alone and can reach out to people they trust, and/or mental health services who understand scams and can offer support. Connection and feeling understood is an antidote to shame.
“Support groups such as our pilot group therapy program for those affected by scams can reassure and chart a way forward. Our focus is on people with disabilities but the blueprint is universal. Our program involves generous ‘Scambassadors’, who discuss their own scam experiences to help others avoid or cope with being affected by this crime. By talking about scam experiences, we’re protecting each other. Being trusting and generous are beautiful values. But we need to be selective about who benefits from that. Trust has to be earned. And it’s never too late to tell someone what is going on, and reach out for help.”
Professor Nigel Phair, Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity, Faculty of Information Technology
Contact details: +61 408 437 056 or [email protected]
- Intersection of technology, crime and society
- Impact of cybercrime
- Governance of technology
- Mapping global cybercrime
The following can be attributed to Professor Phair:
“Scams continue to impact all Australians, and whilst it’s great to have an awareness week, unless we get serious and provide much greater and deeper education to the Australian public we will never sufficiently address this issue.
“As a nation we need to take an intelligence-led approach to identifying and addressing how Australians fall prey to scams combined with technical measures to reduce scam prevalence and the subsequent loss of money.
“With reported scam losses of $2.7bn, which I estimate is about one-fifth of actual losses in 2023, we need to do much more. We need to work harder to make Australia a less desirable target for cyber criminals.”
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