Emergency, threat and ransom scams
Scammers impersonate government authorities (including overseas), law enforcement, debt collection agencies or trusted companies threatening fine, arrest, deportation or even physical harm to you or your family. This fear can cloud your judgement.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if you feel a threat to your safety as a result of a possible scam, call 000.
Act fast if you've had your personal or financial information stolen.
Contact Credit Union SA immediately on 13 8777.
STOP.
Don’t be pressured by a threat. Stop and check whether it’s true and don't make the payment if:
- You’ve met someone online and they’ve requested money – even if you believe you can trust them, or the reason seems urgent and important. It’s probably a scam!
- You’re being blackmailed over nudes. This is called "sextortion" – do not pay the blackmailer. You can report them and get help.
- You’ve been threatened with a fine, arrest, deportation or physical harm – unless you pay money immediately. They may claim you’ve been involved in illegal activity.
- You’ve received an extortion email claiming to have compromising images or information about you – even if they include some of your personal data to make it seem more real.
- You’ve been told you need to move your money to keep it safe.
- You’ve received a message from a new number claiming to be your son or daughter, and they’ve lost or damaged their phone.
- You’ve been given a sense of fear and urgency.
CHECK.
Before making the payment:
- Understand that if you’ve been given a sense of fear and urgency, it’s probably a scam! However, if you believe you’re dealing with a genuine service provider who you have an existing relationship with, contact them by phone using a number you have independently sourced and verified.
- Call or contact your friend or relative on the number already stored in your phone to confirm whether the request is real. If messaging, ask them a question only they would know the answer to.
Check with Credit Union SA by calling 13 8777 if you’re still unsure. We’re here to help and may be able to spot something you’ve missed.
If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others, contact the police.
PROTECT.
If you think you have been the victim of a scam, you should:
- Contact Credit Union SA immediately on 13 8777.
- Report it to ASIC and the police via cyber.gov.au.
- Stop sending money! Be wary of secondary scams or offers to recover your money.
- Change your passwords and PINs straight away if you suspect your security has been compromised.
- Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 or via idcare.org. IDCARE is a free, Government-funded service that provides support to victims of identity crime.
- Visit the Scamwatch or MoneySmart websites for more information on scams.
STOP. CHECK. PROTECT.
Protect yourself from scams.
If you feel unsure, rushed or pressured into making a payment – it’s probably a scam!
Types of emergency, threat and extortion scams
You may receive an email from someone claiming to have hacked your computers or webcams, demanding payment to prevent release of compromising images and videos of you.
They sometimes include personal details such as birth dates and addresses or even passwords to give a sense of legitimacy. These personal details are most likely from previous public data breaches.
To avoid this scam:
- Ignore the email - don't respond! If they include a password, change it wherever it was used. Have I Been Pwned? is a useful website to track whether you've been caught up in any known data breaches.
Scammers impersonate government authorities (including overseas), law enforcement, debt collection agencies or trusted companies threatening fine, arrest, deportation or even physical harm to you or your family.
You may be asked to pay through unusual methods such as cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, cardless cash, cash deposits, international money transfers and gift cards/store cards.
To avoid this scam:
- Don't respond to the texts or emails, or if the threats are by phone - hang up! If you are concerned for your safety, contact the police.
Scammers impersonate various banks, superannuation funds, major credit card companies and fraud departments via email, phone or SMS claiming you have fraud on your account, or a hacker on your computer.
You may receive a call, email or SMS suggesting you need to act quickly to secure your account, reverse a transaction or catch a hacker.
To avoid this scam:
- Never give personal information or remote access to your devices to someone who contacts you. If you think the request might be genuine, always contact the organisation directly on a number you've independently sourced and verified. Never click the links!
Scammers will usually send a pre-recorded phone message in Mandarin. The message may tell you that there is a parcel for you and ask you to call back urgently.
When you call back, the scammer will pretend to be a courier service or a Chinese government official. They will tell you that you are in trouble with the authorities for illegal activity, threatening arrest or deportation. In some cases, they convince victims to fake their own kidnapping. Scammers will then use these photos to extort money from the person's family.
To avoid this scam:
- Hang up! If you are concerned for your safety, contact the police.
Look out for text messages from an unknown number starting "Hi Mum/Hi Dad", describing an urgent situation like a lost or damaged phone needing urgent financial help. It might be a scammer!
To avoid this scam:
- Call your relative on phone to confirm whether the request is real. Try the number already stored in your phone first. If messaging, ask them a question only they would know the answer to.
Security
Learn moreAt Credit Union SA, we use the latest technology to keep your identity, your information and your money safe, however you choose to bank with us.
Call us
13 8777We're here to answer any questions you might have - make sure you have your Access Code ready!