New Scams Targeting Australians in 2026 – And How to Stay Safe

Scam tactics keep evolving and becoming more sophisticated, especially with AI-driven tools in play. In 2025 Australians already reported over $2 billion lost to scams. Residents in Hobart, Kingston and beyond must stay alert as new scams emerge in 2026. Understanding these threats helps protect your data and money.

As an IT services provider in southern Tasmania, Channel Tech Support often advises customers on online safety and data protection. We’ll explain the latest scams and show you how to spot the warning signs and respond This article is part of our tech series, check out our 2026 Tech Resolutions guide for more advice on staying secure in the new year.

Why Scammers Are Getting Smarter in 2026

Scammers are leveraging advances in technology and social engineering to increase their success rates. Several factors drive the new wave of fraud:

  • AI and Automation: Fraudsters now use artificial intelligence to generate convincing phishing emails, clone voices, and even create realistic fake videos (deepfakes) of people you know. This technology allows personalised scams at scale. They also use automated dialers and messaging tools to reach thousands of people quickly.
  • Economic pressures: Rising living costs and financial stress make attractive-sounding investment or debt relief schemes more tempting to vulnerable people.
  • Data leaks: Recent breaches have exposed millions of Aussie email addresses, phone numbers and passwords. Scammers exploit this data to craft customised messages that feel more legitimate.
  • Global events: Crises like pandemics or natural disasters generate opportunistic scams (fake relief funds, charity scams). Scammers exploit moments of uncertainty.

In other words, fraudsters are using smarter tools and exploiting current events to trick Australians. As the Scamwatch news feed reminds us, “there are many types of scams and new types appear often”. The key is to stay informed about patterns and red flags, not just specific phone numbers or links (see How to Spot a Scam below).

How Are Tasmanians Being Targeted?

In Tasmania, and especially in Hobart and Kingston, scammers often tailor their attacks to local contexts:

  • Local services and utilities: Posing as NBN Co, Aurora Energy, TasNetworks, or even local councils. For example, scammers might claim your home internet will be disconnected or your energy rebate is expiring soon.
  • Aussie institutions: Impersonating myGov/ATO, Australian Post, Telstra, or ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission). These nationally recognised names add false credibility.
  • Facebook and online marketplaces: Cape by Gumtree or local buy/sell Facebook groups. Fake seller accounts advertise popular products at cheap prices.
  • Personal connections: Tasmanians are not immune to “Hi Mum” or family member scams, where a fraudster pretends to be a relative in need of urgent cash via WhatsApp or SMS.

So while the mechanics are global, the content is locally relevant. We’ve seen reports of NBN impersonation calls and even bogus invitations to holiday-ready Tasmanians. The advice is universal: Stop, check, protect before trusting any unexpected request.

Person stressed after discovering online scam or financial fraud on laptop in Australia

Top 6 Scams to Watch Out For in 2026

Based on latest alerts and industry reports, the following scams are among the most prevalent and dangerous for Aussies in 2026.

Emergency Locksmith Scams – A Growing Threat

In this scam, fraudsters place ads for cheap locksmith call-outs (often online or via leaflet) and lure people locked out of homes. They quote a very low fee (for example “$29 call-out!”) but once they arrive they deliberately damage locks and demand thousands of dollars to fix the problem. Victims, often elderly or isolated, feel pressured to pay immediately.

Red flags: No physical address on ads, no verifiable reviews, refusal to provide a written quote, and insistence on cash payment. Legitimate locksmiths usually display trust seals (e.g. from the Master Locksmiths Association) and can quote a realistic price.

If you suspect this scam, refuse to pay upfront and call a known, certified locksmith instead. You can also ask for proof of licensing and an official invoice.

Fake Online Shopping Deals – Too Good to Be True?

Fake e-retailers are rampant, especially around sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Scammers clone the branding of Aussie or international retailers (e.g. Myer, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon) and advertise amazing discounts on social media or search ads. Their websites look legitimate but asking for payment via untraceable methods (bitcoin, direct bank transfer).

Customers either never receive the goods or receive cheap knock-offs. Often, a follow-up of credit card fraud occurs.

Red flags: Excessively low prices on hot items; URLs that slightly misspell real store names; no “About Us” page or ABN; payment only by unconventional methods. Also beware buy/sell group scams: a seller demanding unusual payment or “free delivery” should be checked carefully.

Always verify any deal by going directly to the official retailer’s site. For extra security, consider our Data Backup services to recover data if, for instance, your device is compromised by scam malware.

Spoofed “Official” Calls – Government and Authority Fraud

Scammers frequently spoof legitimate numbers so it looks like a call is coming from a trusted source. In 2025, Scamwatch warned that scammers impersonate the ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission) and NASC by using their phone numbers. They might claim you have an unclaimed refund, a penalty or they may even pretend to be law enforcement.

Similar scams involve ATO (Australian Tax Office), Services Australia (Centrelink/myGov), police, or even local council. They often threaten with arrest, deportation or immediate fines if you don’t pay or give up personal info.

Red flags: Government bodies do not call you out of the blue asking for bank details or payments. They will never demand payment via gift card or crypto. If you get a claim of “you owe money,” hang up and verify by calling the organisation back through an official number. Scammers may know some personal data (from data breaches), so always double-check.

For example, legitimate authorities never ask for one-time codes or online account passwords. If you’re unsure about any call or text, look up Scamwatch or IDCARE.

Deepfake and AI Impersonations – When Voices and Videos Lie

Technology is so advanced now that scammers can clone voices and faces convincingly. Voice-cloning scams like the infamous “Hi Mum!” scenario are real – victims have handed over money after hearing a voice they thought was a family member. In one study, Australians lost $25.8 million to AI voice scams in the first half of 2025.

Scammers may:

  • Call you with a cloned voice of your relative claiming an emergency.
  • Send video messages (deepfakes) of a familiar person or even a celebrity endorsement of an investment.
  • Use AI chatbots that pretend to be a romantic interest or financial advisor.

These scams feel extremely personal and urgent. The best defence is to verify by other means: call the person back on a known number or check in with other family members. If something sounds urgent or feels off, slow down and think before acting.

Delivery, Utility and Billing Scams – Packages on Hold?

Phishing messages pretending to be from Australia Post, courier services, telcos or utility providers are very common:

  • Parcel scams: “Your package is on hold – pay $4.95 shipping to release” – but the link leads to a credential-stealing site.
  • Utility scams: Texts about unpaid electricity/gas bills or promised government energy rebates that ask for upfront fees.
  • Toll scams: Fake SMS from Linkt or e-toll claiming unpaid tolls needing immediate payment.

Always go to the official website by yourself rather than clicking links. For example, log in to your AusPost or bank account independently to check for any issues.

In short, treat any surprise billing notice with caution, especially if payment is requested via unusual methods or foreign bank accounts. Many businesses now allow automatic blocking of scam calls at the device level.

Investment and Crypto Scams – Big Promises, Big Losses

Fraudulent investment schemes are a top source of losses in Australia. Scammers advertise fake cryptocurrency pump-and-dump groups, high-return Forex schemes, or pyramid-style “financial freedom” programs. They often impersonate well-known personalities or agencies (even pasting celebrity photos), urging victims to join exclusive investment clubs.

Initial “success” is shown (small returns) to build trust, then victims lose everything when the scheme collapses. In 2024-2025 alone, crypto and share trading scams accounted for a large percentage of losses.

If an investment is promised to have “guaranteed” high returns, it’s almost certainly a scam. No legitimate investment is without risk. Always treat unsolicited investment offers with scepticism and consult a qualified financial adviser instead.

How Can I Spot a Scam Before It’s Too Late?

Knowing the common signs can prevent most scams. Keep an eye out for these red flags:

  • Urgent requests: Scammers pressure you to act immediately to “secure a deal” or “avoid fines.” Legitimate services rarely apply such stress tactics.
  • Odd payment methods: Demands for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or wire transfers are big warning signs.
  • Unsolicited contact: Be wary of any email/text/call you didn’t expect, especially if it asks for personal info or login details.
  • Too-good-to-be-true offers: If something sounds impossibly good (extreme discounts, quick riches), it usually is.
  • Misspellings and bad grammar: Many scam emails contain typos or inconsistent branding.
  • Non-standard sender info: For example, an email supposedly from myGov coming from a Gmail address.

In general, trust patterns and common sense over exact details. Scammers rotate phone numbers and URLs constantly. Rather than memorising specific scams, look for behaviour patterns: pressure, secrecy, and urgency.

Steps to Verify a Caller or Message

  1. Stop: Don’t click any link or give any information.
  2. Check: Google any phone number or company name plus the word “scam” to see if others reported it.
  3. Confirm: If needed, contact the organization through its official channel (website or published phone number) and ask if the request is real.

For example, if you get a call from someone claiming to be from ACCC asking for bank details, hang up and call ACCC’s official number yourself. If it’s truly urgent, they will be able to discuss it.

How to Stay Safe: Tips for Australians in 2026

Staying safe online doesn’t require expert skills, just smart habits. Here are our top recommendations:

  • Always backup your data. In case of malware or theft, you can restore your files. Our data backup service ensures your important files in Hobart or Kingston are safe even if your device fails.
  • Use security software and updates. Keep your operating system and apps updated. Use reliable antivirus or endpoint protection.
  • Verify before trust. As above, pause and verify any unexpected request. Even if a message looks official, double-check.
  • Enable 2-factor authentication. Wherever possible, add an extra login step (SMS code, app, or hardware key).
  • Educate yourself and colleagues. Regularly discuss common scams with family or co-workers so everyone knows the warning signs.
  • Block unknown callers. Use your phone’s spam blocking features (Android’s “Filter spam calls”, iPhone’s “Silence unknown callers”).
  • Report scams. If you encounter a scam, report it to Scamwatch and to your bank or relevant platform. This helps authorities shut down scammers.

Our team at Channel Tech Support is also here to help Hobart and Kingston businesses set up reliable backups and robust security policies. For hands-on protection, consider our IT Support Services in Kingston – we can help monitor your network and train staff to recognise phishing attempts.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you suspect you’ve engaged with a scam:

  1. Stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
  2. Change your passwords for any accounts involved.
  3. Contact your bank to freeze or revert transactions.
  4. Enable fraud alerts on your credit reports.
  5. Report the scam: File a report with Scamwatch and consider contacting IDCARE for identity recovery advice.

Time is of the essence; quick action can mitigate damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will ACCC or ATO ever call me?

    Government and regulatory bodies like the ACCC or ATO will rarely make unsolicited calls. They don’t ask for personal details or payments by phone. If someone claiming to be ACCC/ATO cold-calls you, it’s almost certainly a scam. Always verify by contacting them yourself through official channels.

  • What scams target seniors in Australia?

    Seniors are often targeted by tech support scams and family impersonation scams. For example, a common ploy is a “Microsoft Support” call or the Hi Mum scenario where scammers pretend to be grandchildren in trouble. Educating elderly family members about not giving remote access or sending money without verification is key.

  • Is the “Hi Mum” message a scam?

    Yes, it’s a known scam. A fraudster pretends to be a family member with a new number, claiming their phone was lost or broken and urgently asks for cash. Always call the person’s known number or ask a specific question only they can answer.

  • How can I tell if a call or text is a scam?

    Stop and look for red flags (urgency, requests for payment, odd URLs). A legitimate organisation will never pressure you on a first unexpected call or text. If in doubt, use the Stop-Check-Protect method from Scamwatch

  • How do I report a scam in Australia?

    You can report scams to the Scamwatch website (run by the ACCC) or call IDCARE. Reporting helps authorities track scam patterns. Be ready to provide details like phone numbers, email addresses, or website links used by the scammer.

  • Are AI deepfake scams real or just hype?

    Deepfake scams are very real and growing. Security researchers report that scammers successfully use voice cloning and fake video to impersonate people. The technology is improving, so it’s prudent to assume any call could be a deepfake and verify identities independently.

  • Do scammers target small cities like Hobart?

    Absolutely. Scammers don’t discriminate by location. In fact, they sometimes target smaller markets believing residents might rely on phone support more. Hobart and Kingston communities should stay as vigilant as any big city.

  • Where can I learn more or get help?

    Stay updated through official sources: the ACSC, Scamwatch, and the National Anti-Scam Centre. Channel Tech Support also publishes guides (like our guide on blocking scam numbers). For local assistance, our Kingston IT support team can help secure your network and data.

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