Staying Safe Online

A practical guide for staying confident and secure in the digital world

Most of us have spent a lifetime solving complex problems — running businesses, managing teams, repairing machinery, researching, or raising families. We know how to think critically, assess risk, and trust our instincts. But the online world plays by different rules. Scammers don’t rely on your lack of intelligence — they rely on speed, pressure, and distraction. Their goal is to catch you off‑guard, not out‑smart you.

The good news is that once you know what to look for, most scams become surprisingly easy to spot. This article offers simple, practical guidance to help you stay safe online — without jargon, without fear, and without needing to become a computer expert.

Why scams work: it’s not about intelligence

Scammers succeed because they understand human behaviour. They use:

  • Urgency — “Act now or your account will be closed.”
  • Authority — pretending to be a bank, government agency, or delivery service.
  • Emotion — fear, curiosity, or even kindness.
  • Impersonation — copying logos, email styles, or phone numbers.

These tricks work on people of all ages and backgrounds. Even highly technical professionals get caught — because scams target psychology, not technical skill.

1. The golden rule: if something feels “off,” pause

Your instincts are one of your strongest protections. If a message makes you feel rushed, anxious, or uncertain, stop and take a breath. Scammers rely on you acting quickly. Pausing breaks their entire strategy.

2. Common signs of a scam

You don’t need to analyse every detail — just look for these simple red flags:

A. Unexpected contact

  • A message from a bank you don’t use
  • A parcel delivery you weren’t expecting
  • A “security alert” out of the blue

B. Pressure or urgency

  • “Your account will be locked in 24 hours”
  • “Your payment has failed — click here”

Legitimate organisations rarely use threats.

C. Requests for personal information

Banks, government agencies, and reputable companies never ask for:

  • passwords
  • PINs
  • verification codes
  • full credit card numbers

D. Links that don’t look right

Scammers often use links that look almost correct, but not quite:

  • anz‑secure-login.com
  • mygov‑verify.net

If in doubt, don’t click.

E. Poor spelling or odd phrasing

Not always present, but often a giveaway.

3. How to check if a message is genuine

Here are three simple checks that work for almost every situation:

A. Contact the organisation directly

Use the phone number on their official website — not the one in the message.

B. Log in the way you normally do

If your bank says there’s a problem, open your banking app yourself, but not by clicking the link. If there’s a real issue, it will appear in your banking app.

C. Ask someone you trust

A second pair of eyes can help — and you’ll quickly learn what looks suspicious.

4. Phone scams: what to watch for

Phone scams are becoming more convincing. Scammers may:

  • pretend to be from your bank
  • claim your computer has a virus
  • say they’re from the NBN or Telstra
  • spoof (fake) a local number

Remember: No legitimate organisation will ask you to install software, share passwords, or give remote access to your computer. If a call feels wrong, simply hang up. You’re not being rude — you’re being safe.

5. Text message scams (SMS)

These often claim:

  • a parcel can’t be delivered
  • your bank account is locked
  • your licence or registration has expired
  • you owe a toll or fine

If the message contains a link, treat it as suspicious. Go to the official website yourself instead.

6. Email scams

Email scams often look polished and professional. To stay safe:

  • check the sender’s address carefully
  • hover over links (don’t click) to see where they really go
  • be cautious with attachments
  • delete anything that feels wrong

If it’s important, the organisation will contact you again.

7. Social media and messaging scams

Scammers sometimes impersonate friends or relatives:

  • “Hi Mum, I’ve changed my number — can you help me pay a bill?”
  • “I’m locked out of my account — can you send a code?”

Always confirm using a method you trust — call them, or use their old number.

8. What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

Stay calm. It happens to people from all walks of life. Take these steps:

  1. Contact your bank immediately
  2. Change your passwords
  3. Enable fingerprint/face/PIN login
  4. Update your device
  5. Tell someone you trust

The sooner you act, the easier it is to fix.

9. You don’t need to be an expert — just aware

Staying safe online isn’t about mastering technology. It’s about recognising patterns, trusting your instincts, and taking your time. You’ve spent a lifetime developing good judgement. This is simply applying that same judgement in a new environment.

Final thought

Scammers rely on confusion, pressure, and speed. You can defeat all three by staying calm, pausing, and checking.