How to Protect Seniors from Common Cyber Threats in Australia

Threat 1: impersonation scams

• These scams pretend to come from a trusted organisation such as a bank, telco or government office.
• The message may mention a problem with your account, a refund, a payment or a suspicious transaction.
• The safest response is to contact the real organisation using details you find yourself.

Threat 2: fake support calls

• Scammers may claim your computer has a virus or your internet service has a problem.
• They try to convince you to install software or give remote access.
• Legitimate companies do not cold-call and ask to take control of your device this way.

Threat 3: delivery and payment scams

• Texts about parcels, tolls and missed deliveries are common because they catch people off guard.
• They often include a short link to a fake payment page.
• If you are unsure, open the official app or website instead of using the message link.

Threat 4: account takeover

• Weak or reused passwords make it easier for criminals to break into accounts.
• Once inside an email account, they may try to reset passwords for other services.
• Strong passwords and two-factor authentication make account takeover much harder.

Threat 5: emotional pressure

• Many scams work because they create urgency, fear or excitement.
• That emotional pressure can affect anyone, regardless of age or technical ability.
• A personal rule to pause before acting is one of the best protections available.

A simple protection plan

• Protect email first.
• Keep devices updated.
• Never share one-time codes or passwords.
• Check unusual requests with a trusted person or the organisation directly.
• Use training and refreshers to keep good habits current.

Frequently asked questions