Scam identification guides — step-by-step protection from online fraud
These guides are written for the moment after something suspicious has landed in front of you. Each one walks through a specific scam family — fake online stores, phishing emails, SMS fraud, marketplace cons, bank impersonation — and shows what the scam looks like, how it works, and what to do if you have already engaged.
We focus on plain English. No technical prerequisites, no security jargon. Each guide opens with a quick verdict (what this scam usually is and who it targets), shows real examples of the messages or websites involved, lists the red flags in order of reliability, and ends with a recovery checklist for anyone who has already clicked, replied, or paid.
If you have just received something suspicious and want a quick verdict before reading, paste it into the free scam checker — it looks for warning signs and suggests next steps. The guides can help you understand why something looked off, or spot the same pattern next time.
Already been scammed? Start with the recovery checklist below — every other guide can wait until you have stabilised the immediate damage.
I Think I've Been Scammed — Now What? Immediate Recovery Steps
Step-by-step recovery guide if you clicked a link, sent money, or shared personal details. If you have clicked a link, sent money, or shared a password, start here immediately.
Core scam identification guides
Is This Website Legit? How to Check Before You Buy
Quick checks before entering card details on unfamiliar websites.
How to Spot a Fake Link Before You Click
Subdomain tricks, lookalike domains, and URL red flags explained.
Scam Text Message Examples: SMS Fraud Patterns Explained
Real SMS scam templates: parcel delivery, bank alerts, and urgency tactics used worldwide.
Email Phishing Examples: Spot the Fakes
Invoice scams, login alerts, and attachment traps targeting Australians.
WhatsApp Scams: Real Messages, Job Offers, Investment Groups & OTP Tricks
Real examples of WhatsApp scam messages — fake job offers, investment groups, OTP requests, romance and family-impersonation chats — plus what to do next.
Bank Impersonation Scams: How Fraudsters Pose as Financial Institutions
Fake bank calls, texts, and spoofed caller IDs explained.
Marketplace Scams: Fraud on Facebook, eBay and Classified Sites
Fake payment emails, courier pickup scams, and payment platform pending tricks.
PayID Scams in Australia: Fake Overpayments and Upgrade Fees
Spot fake PayID payment messages, overpayment requests and business account upgrade scams when selling online.
More scam identification guides
Job Scam Checker: How to Spot a Fake Job Offer Before You Reply
Verify a job offer, recruiter, and employer — red flags for fake jobs, task scams, equipment purchase frauds, and check-cashing setups.
Tax Authority Impersonation Scams: Fake Refunds and Debt Threats
Tax refund scams, fake debt notices, and government portal impersonation tactics.
Parcel Delivery Scams: Fake Tracking Links and Fee Traps
DHL, FedEx, UPS and postal service SMS scams with fake tracking links and card fee traps.
Is This Website Safe? How to Check a Site Before You Trust It
What to check before you sign in, pay or download, and what to do if you have already shared details or opened a suspicious file.
Have a suspicious message to check?
The free scam checker looks for warning signs in a message, email or link. Read the guides to learn more about the result and its limits.
Run a free scam check now