Scams cost Australians $45 million in six months

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's ScamWatch website has revealed that between January and June in 2015, $45 million was siphoned out of Australian bank accounts and into the pockets of scam artists.

This is only 10.3% of reported incidents and equates to about $9000 a claim.

ScamWatch has tips to avoid falling victim to a scam this year:

• Beware when shopping online - if it's too good to be true, it probably is;
• Always research thoroughly if you're unsure of the legitimacy of a person or company. Don't send money or give out your financial information to sources you don't fully trust;
• Never open suspicious attachments or emails - delete them straightaway;
• Take steps to prevent identity theft. This could include putting a lock on your letterbox, destroying old bills, and storing your pin numbers in a safe place;
• Always use a passcode to lock your digital devices. It's good practice to switch passwords every few months. Don't pick passwords that are too easy to guess; and
• Never agree to transfer money or goods for another person. It might turn out to be money laundering, which is a criminal offence.

If you've sent money or personal banking information to a scammer, contact your bank or credit union immediately. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, contact iDcare - a free government-funded service.

Where to go to report a scam

Get stories like this in our newsletters.