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How do I spot a scam email or text message?

Cyber Security

As discussed on Episode 1 of Legal Matters, scam emails and texts are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Here is how to protect yourself.

1. Trust Your Gut

If something feels wrong, it probably is. Scammers rely on urgency (“Your account will be locked!”) and emotion (“Merry Christmas from your bank!”) to bypass your critical thinking. Pause before you act.

2. Common Red Flags

  • Unexpected contact: You didn’t initiate the conversation.
  • Urgency or threats: “Act now or your account will be closed.”
  • Requests to click links: Legitimate organisations rarely ask you to click a link to “verify” your details.
  • Requests for personal information: Banks and government agencies will never ask for your password, driver’s licence, or tax file number via email or SMS.
  • Too good to be true: Prize notifications, refunds you weren’t expecting, or investment returns that seem unrealistic.

3. AI-Powered Scams Are Different

Modern scammers use AI to:

  • Write grammatically perfect emails (no more obvious spelling errors).
  • Personalise messages using publicly available information about you.
  • Mimic the tone and style of organisations you trust.
  • Create convincing fake websites that look identical to real banking portals.
  1. Stop immediately — do not enter any further information.
  2. Change your passwords — start with your email and banking passwords.
  3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts.
  4. Contact your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.
  5. Report it to Scamwatch and ReportCyber.
  6. Contact a lawyer if you have lost money or provided identity documents.

5. Prevention Tips

  • Never click links in unsolicited emails or texts — navigate to the website directly.
  • Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account.
  • Keep your phone and computer software up to date.
  • Talk to family members, especially elderly relatives, about common scams.

Need Help?

If you have been the victim of a scam, acting quickly is critical. We can advise on recovery options, reporting obligations, and protecting your identity.

Concerned about a scam? Contact Bell & Senior today. Call (07) 5532 8777.

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