Ever got a weird phone call or email from a stranger, claiming to be your bank, a government department, your university or internet provider?
Did they ask for your password, personal details or for you to send them money? You may have experienced a scam. Unfortunately, international students are often targeted by scammers pretending to be from trusted organisations like the government, banks or even universities. These scams can be stressful and convincing, especially when you’re far from home and are still figuring out life in a new country.
If something feels off, it probably is. Here’s how to spot the warning signs and what to do if you think you’re being scammed.
Common types of scams to look out for
There are many types of scams in Australia, but here are some that you may be more likely to encounter as an international student:
Phishing scams: Fake emails or texts that look like they’re from your bank or university, asking you to click a link or enter your login details. Do not click on any links in these suspicious messages.
Threats or blackmail scams: Calls or messages claiming you’ve broken the law and must pay to avoid arrest or deportation.
Job and rental scams: Fake job offers or accommodation listings that ask you to pay upfront before receiving anything. Always sign a contract before sending any money to a landlord or real estate agency.
Remote access scams: Scammers pretend to be IT support and ask you to download software to ‘fix’ your computer – but instead, they are trying to steal your data.
Where are they saying they’re from?
Scammers often pretend to be from legitimate organisations. Some common ones include the Australian Tax Office (ATO), telling you that you owe tax and must pay immediately. They may say they are from the Department of Home Affairs, threatening visa cancellation unless you follow their instructions. Some pretend to be your university or bank, requesting ‘urgent’ confirmation of your personal or financial details, and others imitate tech companies like Microsoft or Apple, saying your device has a virus or needs a security update.
Always pause and check directly by visiting the organisation’s official website or calling their contact number. Don’t trust phone numbers or email addresses provided by the caller or sender.
Is it an automated voice?
If you pick up the phone and hear a robotic or pre-recorded voice, this is a red flag. Scammers use these to impersonate government agencies like the ATO or police. You might hear a phrase like: ‘there is a problem with your visa’, ‘you owe unpaid taxes’, or ‘there is a warrant out for your arrest’.
These are designed to scare you, but remember – the Australian government or other official organisations will never use threats or automated calls to give you important information or ask for payment.
What are they asking for?
Scammers will usually try to get something from you. If they ask you to send them money straight away, request personal information like your passport number or bank details, tell you to download computer programs or apps, or send you a link to open a file, stop communicating with them immediately and hang up the phone.
Are they asking you to buy gift cards?
TScammers often ask for payment via gift cards (like Apple, Amazon, or Google Play), asking you to send them the codes. No genuine organisation or government department in Australia will ever ask you to pay this way. If you’re being told to buy gift cards, it’s a scam.
What to do if you think you’re being scammed
Scamwatch, Australia’s official scam prevention service, recommends taking the following steps if you think you may be getting scammed:
Stop: Don’t give out any of your information or send money.
Check: Talk to a friend, your family, your university support services. Look up the organisation’s official contact details to see if they are actually contacting you.
Protect: Report the scam to Scamwatch and protect your accounts by changing passwords and contacting your bank if needed.
If it feels wrong, it probably is
Trust your gut. Scammers want you to panic and act fast. Take a moment, breathe, and check the facts. There’s no harm in being cautious, and asking for help could save you a lot of stress (and money)! If you want to find out more about common scams and how to protect yourself, or you need to report a scam, visit Scamwatch.
