Online safety for seniors
Scammers deliberately target older Australians because the tactics work on anyone — they’re professionals. These guides assume no technical background and skip the jargon entirely.
Three things worth knowing first
- The one habit that beats every scam: hang up, then call back on the number on your card.
- Agree a family code word for “it’s really me” calls — defeats voice cloning.
- You are allowed to hang up on anyone. Politeness has never saved anyone money.
- guideSpot a scam in 60 seconds: the universal red flagsThe five red flags that appear in almost every scam — urgency, secrecy, unusual payment, too-good offers, and contact you didn’t start. Learn to spot any scam fast.6 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideBanking and payment safetyKeep your money safe online: the safe-account lie, one-time codes, PayID checks, card security and what your bank will never ask. Written with seniors in mind.5 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- Scam alertAlert: Bank impersonation phone calls“This is your bank’s fraud team” calls are one of Australia’s most damaging scams. The caller ID lies. The safe move is always the same: hang up, call the number on your card.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideRomance and friendship scams: a guide for over-55sRomance and “new friend” scams deliberately target older Australians. The warning signs, why it happens to smart people, and how families can help without judgement.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guidePassphrases, password managers and 2FAThe 15-minute guide to un-hackable accounts: why passphrases beat passwords, how to set up a password manager, and which two-factor authentication to use in Australia.8 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideWhat to do after a data breachYour details were in a data breach — now what? Plain-English Australian guide: which details matter, who to contact, credit bans, IDCARE help, and your rights under privacy law.7 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- playbookI think I’ve been scammed — your first 60 minutesStep-by-step recovery plan if you’ve been scammed in Australia: contact your bank, report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber, get free help from IDCARE. Calm, plain-English steps.6 min read · Reviewed October 2026
- guideSpotting fake news and misinformationPractical skills for spotting misinformation: the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace), lateral reading, and Australian fact-checking resources you can trust.4 min read · Reviewed October 2026