‘Red flags’: Top 5 scams targeting Aussies in 2025 you need to know
NAB reveals five major scams targeting Australians, urging vigilance to avoid falling victim
Australia, Scams, NAB, Cryptocurrency, AI, Phishing
Melbourne: NAB is sounding the alarm about some sneaky scams that are on the rise, and they’re getting trickier by the day. They’ve identified five scams that every Aussie should keep an eye on in 2025.
Chris Sheehan from NAB, who used to work with the Australian Federal Police, says scammers are getting clever. They create a sense of urgency to make you act fast. Whether it’s about missing out on concert tickets or a supposed issue with your bank account, they want you to panic.
He points out that some signs are pretty obvious. Look out for emails or texts packed with typos, links that don’t seem right, or unexpected messages. If someone calls you out of the blue claiming to be from your internet provider, that’s a big red flag.
One of the biggest concerns is AI-driven scams. Criminals are using deep fakes to impersonate well-known Aussies and promote fake products on social media. It’s wild how they can create lifelike images or voices with just a snippet of audio or a photo.
Then there are the cryptocurrency scams. Scammers are preying on people’s fear of missing out on the next big crypto investment. They set up fake trading apps that look legit but are just traps. If you try to cash out, you might find yourself facing unexpected fees or locked accounts.
Another scam to watch out for is the bucket list scam. These target people looking to buy tickets for major events, like concerts. Many end up with fake tickets or pay way too much for the real ones. It’s a real bummer when you think you’re getting a deal, only to find out you’ve been duped.
Remote access scams are also a big issue. Scammers call pretending to be from trusted companies and trick you into giving them access to your computer. They can clean out your bank account in no time.
Lastly, phishing scams are still a favorite among criminals. They’ll reach out via text, email, or phone, pretending to be from a trusted source to get your personal info. They’re even sending messages about using your rewards points before they expire, which is just cruel.
NAB is working hard to combat these scams, and they’ve seen a drop in customer losses, even though reports of scams are up. If you think you’ve been scammed, don’t hesitate to contact your bank right away.