Play the games

Live · 9 November 2026

This week’s scams.

What’s doing the rounds right now, who it hits, and how to spot each one in seconds.

This week

3red
alerts 3orange
alerts

Lost to scams in Australia, 2025

$2.18 billion

481,523 scams reported

Source: ACCC

How scams reach people

  • Online$158.5m
  • Call$72.5m
  • Email$57.9m

Website: $158.5 million lost in 2025 through websites, apps and social media; Call: $72.5 million lost in 2025; Email: $57.9 million lost in 2025.

Source: ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Who loses the most

65 and over

People 65 and over reported $88.8 million lost to Scamwatch in 2025, the most of any age.

Source: ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Can you spot them? 2 of these are real messages, so you can see the difference.

Message, then a call

BBank Security Team

We noticed a new login to your bank account from another state. If this wasn’t you, call us now on number to lock your account.

Missed call from Bank Security Team

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertTelstra says these rose from about 29% of email scams in 2025 to 45% in 2026.

Hits most: 65 and over

Fake emails asking you to call

Pretends to be your bank, a shop or a subscription service

Telstra says callback scams jumped from about 29% of reported email scams in 2025 to 45% so far in 2026.

The giveaway
It wants you to call a number in the message. That number goes straight to the scammer.
What to do
Don’t call it. Use the number on your card or in your app. Never move money to a ‘safe’ account.

Across all phishing scams, people 65 and over lost $12.5 million in 2025. ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Play HOAX Source: Telstra, 24 Sep

Text

AATO

You have a new message from the ATO in your myGov inbox. Sign in to myGov to read it.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real ATO message

How you can tell
No link and nothing to pay. It tells you to sign in to myGov yourself. The fakes want you to tap a link.
What to do
Open the myGov app, or type my.gov.au yourself, and read it there.
Source: ATO: Scam alerts

Social media

PProfessor Mark

Welcome to the group, friends! I share free trading tips here every day. Members made big gains last week. Join my platform at link to follow along.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertInvestment scams cost the most, and losses are up 10.4% in 2026.

Hits most: 65 and over

Investing tips in WhatsApp groups

Pretends to be an investing ‘professor’ and other group members

Scamwatch warned in late September. Scammers now fake celebrity news stories too, which are harder to spot.

The giveaway
Strangers add you to a group, then push a platform with big, steady returns.
What to do
Leave the group and don’t pay. Check that any adviser holds an Australian financial services licence.

People 65 and over lost $50.8 million to investment scams in 2025, the most of any age. ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Play LURE Source: Scamwatch, 28 Sep

Email

New payment update in your ATO profile

AATO

A payment update is waiting in your ATO profile. Click link to see your income statement.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertThe ATO says it’s new, and ATO scam reports rose 36% in August 2026.

Hits most: 65 and over

Fake ATO emails

Pretends to be the ATO

The ATO flagged new versions in September and October. One installs software that lets scammers into your device.

The giveaway
It asks you to click a link and download a file. The ATO won’t send you a link to log in.
What to do
Don’t click or download. Log in to myGov yourself to check. Report the email to the ATO, then delete it.

Across all phishing scams, people 65 and over lost $12.5 million in 2025. ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Play LURE Source: ATO, 29 Oct

Text

YYour Bank

We’ve noticed an unusual payment of $1,240.00 on your card. Please check it in your banking app. We’ll never ask for your password or a code.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real payment check

How you can tell
No link and no number to call. It sends you to your own banking app, and says what it will never ask for.
What to do
Open your banking app yourself and check the payment. Still not sure? Call the number on your card.
Source: NAB: ending links in text messages (July 2023)

Website

link

Brand Outlet Sale

Huge brand sale: 70% off everything. Ends in 09:59. Grab the deal at link before it’s gone.

Buy now

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertShopping scams are the top way to lose money, but losses fell 16.3% in 2026.

Hits most: All ages

Fake shops with huge discounts

Pretends to be real shops, brands and car dealers

Black Friday is near. Scamwatch says AI is making fake shops cheaper, faster and more convincing.

The giveaway
Huge discounts, a countdown timer and pressure to pay now. A slick site or logo proves nothing.
What to do
Go to the shop’s site yourself, not through an ad. Check the web address and look for reviews elsewhere.

No age split yet. Shopping scams cost under 18s more than any other scam in 2025. ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Play DUPE Source: Scamwatch, 3 Nov

Text

UUnknown number

Your driver had nowhere safe to leave your parcel. Reply Y, then tap link to book a redelivery.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertAustralia Post has warned about it since May 2025. It’s common, not new.

Hits most: 65 and over

Fake parcel redelivery texts

Pretends to be a parcel delivery driver

Australia Post calls it a high volume scam, sent through iMessage and RCS chat messages.

The giveaway
It asks you to reply ‘Y’. That makes your phone trust the sender and lets the scam link through.
What to do
Don’t reply or tap. Report it as junk and delete it. Track parcels in the courier’s own app.

Across all phishing scams, people 65 and over lost $12.5 million in 2025. ACCC Targeting Scams 2025 report (Scamwatch data)

Play LURE Source: Australia Post, 11 Sep

Message, then a call

VVinted

Great news, your jacket sold! Verify your account at link so we can send your money.

Missed call from Vinted

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertPart of the most common loss type. Scamwatch saw Vinted sellers hit in 2026.

Hits most: 18 to 34

Fake ‘your item sold’ messages

Pretends to be Vinted, a payment service or your bank

Buying and selling scams made up 58.7% of Scamwatch loss reports this year. Sellers are targets too.

The giveaway
You must ‘verify’ through a link before you get paid. The fake page then asks for bank logins or codes.
What to do
Don’t tap the link. Open the app yourself to check the sale. Never share bank logins or codes.

Young women, especially 18 to 25, report the most marketplace scams in SA (2025 to 2026). SA Police

Play LURE Source: Scamwatch, 3 Nov

This week

3red
alerts 3orange
alerts

Lost to scams in the US, 2025

$15.9 billion

3,000,000 scams reported

Source: FTC

How scams reach people

  • Website31%
  • Social media28%
  • Call11%

Website: 31% of people who lost money in 2025; Social media: 28% of people who lost money in 2025; Call: 11% of people who lost money in 2025.

Source: FTC Data Spotlight

Who loses the most

  • $67.1mUnder 20
  • $563.1m20 to 29
  • $1.7b30 to 39
  • $3b40 to 49
  • $3.7b50 to 59
  • $7.7b60+
Source: FBI (2025 Internet Crime Report)

Can you spot them? 2 of these are real messages, so you can see the difference.

Call

Incoming call

FTC

mobile

“This is the Federal Trade Commission. A phone in your name is being used for scams overseas. Help us today or we’ll shut off your number. I’m putting you through to the police now.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertA new twist, flagged in October. FTC impostors took $161 million in 2025.

Hits most: 60 and over

Fake FTC calls about your phone

Pretends to be the FTC, then a police officer

A new twist the FTC flagged on 22 October 2026: the caller hands you to fake police who say you’ll be arrested.

The giveaway
The FTC never threatens to cut off your phone, asks for money, or texts you a photo of a staff ID.
What to do
Hang up. Don’t pay and don’t send ID. Then report the call to the FTC.

People 60 and over lost 92% of the money taken by FTC impostors in 2025. FTC (Protecting Older Consumers report)

Play HOAX Source: FTC, 22 Oct

Text

YYour Bank

Fraud alert: Did you try to spend $1,240.00 at an electronics store? Reply YES or NO. We will never ask for your PIN, password or a code by text.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real fraud alert

How you can tell
It asks a yes or no question and nothing else. No link, no number to call, and it says what it will never ask.
What to do
Reply, or check in your bank’s app. Never share a code or PIN, even if someone calls saying they’re the bank.
Source: American Bankers Association: Banks Never Ask That

Text

AAmazon

Amazon Safety Team: something you ordered recently has been recalled because it can catch fire. Stop using it now and get your refund at link.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertAARP calls it a new scam, and reports peak in shopping seasons.

Hits most: 60 and over

Fake Amazon recall texts

Pretends to be Amazon (sometimes Walmart, Costco or Best Buy)

AARP says recall scams spike in shopping seasons and expects more reports as the holidays get closer.

The giveaway
It never names the product. Scammers don’t know what you bought, so they keep it vague.
What to do
Don’t tap the link. Check your orders in the Amazon app, or look up the official CPSC recall list.

Across all phishing scams, people 60 and over lost the most: $77 million in 2025. FBI (2025 Internet Crime Report)

Play LURE Source: AARP, 24 Sep

Message, then a call

FFraud Alert

Did you just spend $689 at an electronics store? Reply YES or NO. Our fraud team will call you to confirm.

Missed call from Fraud Alert

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertFake businesses took nearly $1 billion in 2025. Fake banks took the most.

Hits most: 60 and over

Fake bank fraud alerts

Pretends to be your bank’s fraud team

In October, US banks launched a campaign called “Banks Never Ask That”, calling these one of the most common scams.

The giveaway
Your bank will never ask for a code sent to your phone, or tell you to move money to keep it safe.
What to do
Hang up, even if caller ID shows your bank. Call the number on the back of your card.

In 2024, people 60 and over were more than twice as likely to lose $10,000+ to impostors. FTC Data Spotlight

Play HOAX Source: WFSB (American Bankers Association campaign), 13 Oct

Call

Incoming call

Your Bank

mobile

“This is your bank’s fraud team. We’ve locked your card to keep it safe. Please hang up and call the number on the back of your card.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real fraud team call

How you can tell
They want you to hang up and call back on a number you trust. A scammer wants to keep you on the line.
What to do
Hang up, then call the number on the back of your card.
Source: American Bankers Association: Banks Never Ask That

Text

UUnknown number

Indiana Toll Road: your account has an overdue balance. Pay now at link to avoid extra fees.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertOne of the top text scams of 2024, and still doing the rounds in Indiana.

Hits most: 60 and over

Fake toll road texts

Pretends to be toll agencies, like the Indiana Toll Road

The Indiana Toll Road and state police warned on 26 October 2026 that these texts are doing the rounds.

The giveaway
A surprise text with a pay link. The Indiana Toll Road says it will never text you.
What to do
Don’t tap the link. Check your balance in the toll road’s own app or website, then delete the text.

Across all phishing scams, people 60 and over lost the most money in 2025. FBI (2025 Internet Crime Report)

Play LURE Source: WSBT 22 (Indiana Toll Road warning), 26 Oct

Website

link

Official Health Plans

Sponsored: Official 2027 health plans. Compare and enrol in minutes at link or call number.

Buy now

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertIt happens all year but picks up during Open Enrollment, which is on now.

Hits most: 60 and over

Fake health insurance websites

Pretends to be the official Marketplace and Medicare websites

The FTC says these scams pick up during Open Enrollment for Medicare and Marketplace plans, which is on now.

The giveaway
It’s a “Sponsored” result with an address that only looks official. Real government sites end in .gov.
What to do
Skip the ads. Type the official Marketplace or Medicare address in yourself, or call Medicare.

Across all government impostor scams, people 60 and over lost the most in 2025. FBI (2025 Internet Crime Report)

Play DUPE Source: FTC, 28 Sep

Social media

TToy Deals OutletSponsored

This year’s hottest toy is back in stock. 60% off, today only. Order now at link.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertShopping scams were the most reported scam on social media in 2025.

Hits most: 18 to 34

Fake toy shops in your feed

Pretends to be a real online shop with this year’s hot toys in stock

BBB Scam Tracker reports show fake shops selling this season’s hot toys, then sending cheap fakes or nothing.

The giveaway
A sold out toy, in stock, at a huge discount, from a shop you’ve never heard of.
What to do
Don’t buy from the ad. Type the address of a shop you trust into your browser yourself.

In 2025, 40% of scams costing people 18 to 29 began on social media, the most of any age. FTC Data Spotlight

Play DUPE Source: BBB, 6 Oct

This week

3red
alerts 3orange
alerts

Lost to scams in the UK, 2025

£576.4 million

248,070 cases where people were tricked into paying

Source: UK Finance (Annual Fraud Report 2026)

How scams reach people

  • Call39%
  • Social media32%
  • Email13%

Call: 39% of scam contacts began with a phone call; Social media: 32% began online, such as on social media; Email: 13% began with an email.

Source: ONS (Crime Survey for England and Wales, year to March 2025)

Who gets hit the most

45 to 64

The Home Office says the highest share of fraud victims are aged 45 to 54 and 55 to 64.

Source: Home Office (Fraud Strategy 2026 to 2029)

Can you spot them? 2 of these are real messages, so you can see the difference.

Call

Incoming call

Unknown number

“Hello! We have flexible work you can do from your phone at home. Add this number on WhatsApp to hear more.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertRobocall complaints rose from 1,374 in July to 3,684 in September 2026.

Hits most: 18 to 34

“Add me on WhatsApp” calls

Pretends to be a recruiter offering part time work

Robocall complaints to the ICO nearly tripled from July to September 2026, the most since 2021.

The giveaway
A recorded voice with a vague job offer that pushes you to carry on the chat on WhatsApp.
What to do
Hang up and don’t add the number. Block it and report the call to the ICO, the data watchdog.

Across job scams, 53% of Lloyds Bank cases in 2025 were people aged 18 to 34. Lloyds Bank

Play HOAX Source: Which?, 5 Nov

Text

YYour Bank

We’ve held a payment of £640.00 to a new payee. If this was you, approve it in your banking app. We’ll never call you to move your money.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real payment check

How you can tell
No link and no number to call. It sends you to your own banking app, and says what it will never do.
What to do
Open your banking app yourself and check the payment.
Source: Take Five (UK Finance): Impersonation scams

Text

RRingGo

RingGo: your car has an unpaid parking balance. Pay within 24 hours or you’ll be fined and blocked from the app. link

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertRingGo has warned of a wave of fake texts, with new versions popping up.

Hits most: 25 to 44

Fake parking fine texts

Pretends to be RingGo, the parking app

RingGo has warned of a wave of fake texts, and Which? has had many reports of new versions.

The giveaway
A pay now link, a 24 hour deadline and threats of fines or being blocked from the app.
What to do
Don’t tap the link. Check your account in the RingGo app, then forward the text to 7726 and delete it.

Across all phishing texts, emails and calls, 25 to 44s were targeted most in 2021 to 22. ONS (Crime Survey for England and Wales)

Play LURE Source: Which?, 24 Sep

Social media

JJake

Brand new games console, half price! Loads of people want it, so send a bank transfer today and I’ll hold it for you.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Red alertPurchase scam losses rose 20% in 2025, and Black Friday is almost here.

Hits most: 18 to 34

Fake sellers on social media

Pretends to be a real seller on Facebook, TikTok or other apps

TSB says purchase scam losses are up, and 65% of its cases involve Facebook, as Black Friday nears.

The giveaway
A bargain that looks too good, from a seller who wants a bank transfer before you’ve seen the item.
What to do
Stick to official shops or a marketplace’s own checkout. Don’t pay a stranger by bank transfer.

In a 2026 TSB survey, 49% of 25 to 34s and 44% of 18 to 24s said they’d been caught out. TSB

Play DUPE Source: TSB, 4 Nov

Call

Incoming call

Your Bank

mobile

“Hi, it’s your bank’s fraud team. Please hang up and call us back. You can dial 159 to reach your bank safely.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

A real fraud team call

How you can tell
They want you to hang up and call back yourself. 159 is a real number that puts you through to your own bank.
What to do
Hang up, then call 159 or the number on your card.
Source: Stop Scams UK: 159

Email

Good news: your council tax refund is waiting

CCouncil Tax

Good news: you’ve overpaid your council tax and a refund is waiting. Claim it here before it runs out: link

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertHighland Council has had reports, but no figures show a big rise.

Hits most: 25 to 44

Fake council tax refund emails

Pretends to be your local council

Highland Council has had reports of refund emails from a made up “Council Revenue Authority” team.

The giveaway
A refund you weren’t expecting, and a link that asks for your bank or card details.
What to do
Don’t click. Contact your council using the details on its own website, then delete the email.

Across all phishing emails, texts and calls, 25 to 44s were targeted most in 2021 to 22. ONS (Crime Survey for England and Wales)

Play LURE Source: The Highland Council, 22 Oct

Call

Incoming call

Fraud Team

mobile

“This is your bank’s fraud team. Your money is at risk right now. We need you to move it to a safe account today.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertStill costly, though UK Finance says bank and police fakes fell in 2025.

Hits most: 65 and over

Fake bank and police calls

Pretends to be your bank’s fraud team or the police

Take Five says fakes are easier to hide now the busy season of shopping, deliveries and bills is starting.

The giveaway
They ask you to move money, share a code, or hand over cash or cards. Real banks and police won’t.
What to do
Hang up. Call your bank on the number on your card, or call 159. Police never ask for money or cards.

Across courier fraud, people aged 76 to 96 made up around 62% of reports in 2025. City of London Police

Play HOAX Source: Take Five (UK Finance), 31 Oct

Social media

SSue

Hi, could you do me a quick favour and vote for my friend’s daughter in a ballet contest? link

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Scam or the real thing?

Orange alertDerbyshire Police have warned about it. No figures yet on how many.

Hits most: All ages

Fake WhatsApp vote requests

Pretends to be a friend or contact on WhatsApp

Derbyshire Police have warned that hacked contacts are sending fake ballet contest vote links.

The giveaway
The voting page asks for your phone number and the code WhatsApp sends you. That code unlocks your account.
What to do
Don’t vote or type in any code. Tell your friend another way that their account has been hacked.

No age data yet. It comes from a hacked friend, so anyone on WhatsApp can get it. Which?

Play DUPE Source: Which?, 3 Nov

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