Scams and frauds: how to spot, avoid and report scam activity
If something doesn’t feel right, acting quickly can make a real difference. This page explains what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, how to report it, and where to get support.
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Common scam warning signs
While scams can look different, there are common warning signs that something may not be legitimate. One of the warning signs we often see is when a scammer coaches someone on what to tell their bank. They may provide a cover story, ask you to hide who the money is really going to, or suggest an alternative explanation for a transaction. If someone has told you what to say to us, asked you to withhold information, or encouraged you not to be completely honest about a payment, this may be a sign of a scam. Please let us know. The more accurate information you can provide, the better we can understand the situation and help protect you.
Be cautious if you notice one or more of the following:
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Pressure & offers
Pressure to act quickly or keep the situation secret.
Offers that seem too good to be true with guarantee of unusually high returns with little or no risk.
Unexpected contact or unsolicited contact by phone, email, text or social media.
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Requests
Requests to move money, especially to new, overseas or cryptocurrency accounts.
Requests and pressure to provide personal details, login information or identity documents.
Attempts to move conversations away from trusted or official platforms.
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Unusual methods
Unusual or uncommon payment methods being requested, such as gift cards or crypto.
Discouragement from seeking independent advice or verifying the offer or request.
If something feels rushed, confusing or “too good to be true”, it’s worth stopping and checking.
Investment scams
What it is
An investment scam is designed to trick you into investing money with the promise of high returns and low risk. The investment may not be legitimate, or the risks may be significantly higher than you have been told.
How it typically works
Scammers often use professional‑looking websites, log in pages, apps or documents and may impersonate economists, financial experts or trusted institutions. In some instances, scammers will return small “profits” early on to build trust and encourage larger investments.
Key red flags
- Guaranteed or unusually high returns
- Pressure to invest quickly or keep the opportunity confidential
- Requests to transfer money to new or overseas accounts
- Limited, vague or hard to verify information about the investment.
For more scam types and resources, visit the AMP Fraud and Scams page
What to do if you're unsure
Some scammers spend weeks, months or even years building trust and developing relationships before asking for money or personal information. Taking time to independently verify who you are dealing with and discussing the situation with someone you trust can help identify warning signs that may otherwise be missed.
Think you may have been scammed?
Scams can happen to anyone - there is no shame in being targeted and support is available.
If something feels unusual, rushed or doesn’t seem right, trusting your instincts and getting help early can help limit harm and protect your accounts.
North Service Centre 1800 667 841
(Monday to Friday 8.30am - 7.00pm)
We can help secure your accounts, stop payments where possible, and guide you on next steps.
For more information and resources, visit the AMP Fraud and Scams page
Report to other services and secure accounts
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Report the scam to other services
Report scams to Scamwatch.
If the scam involves myGov, Centrelink, Medicare or other Services Australia services, report it to Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft.
If your identity information has been compromised, seek support from IDCARE, Australia’s national identity and cyber support service.
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Protect your accounts after a scam
Taking these steps as soon as possible can help reduce further risk.
Change your online passwords immediately, especially for banking, superannuation and email accounts.
Review your accounts for unusual activity and report anything suspicious straight away.
Monitor your statements regularly and set up alerts where available.
If identity documents or personal details have been shared, additional steps may be needed to protect your identity.
Important information
® North and MyNorth are trademarks registered to NMMT.
The information on this page has been provided by NMMT Limited ABN 42 058 835 573, AFSL 234653 (NMMT). It contains general advice only, does not take account of your client’s personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and a client should consider whether this information is appropriate for them before making any decisions. It’s important your client consider their circumstances and read the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS), investor directed portfolio guide (IDPS Guide) and target market determination (TMD), available from northonline.com.au or by contacting the North Service Centre on 1800 667 841, before deciding what’s right for them.
MyNorth Investment and North Investment are operated by NMMT. MyNorth Investment Guarantee is issued by National Mutual Funds Management Limited ABN 32 006 787 720, AFSL 234652 (NMFM). MyNorth Super and Pension (including MyNorth Lifetime), MyNorth Super and Pension Guarantee and North Super and Pension are issued by N.M. Superannuation Proprietary Limited (ABN 31 008 428 322, AFSL 234654 (NM Super) as trustee of the Wealth Personal Superannuation and Pension Fund (the Fund) ABN 92 381 911 598. NMMT issues the interests in and is the responsible entity for MyNorth Managed Portfolios. All managed portfolios may not be available across all products on the North platform. All of the products above are referred to collectively as MyNorth Products. The information on this page is provided only for the use of advisers, it is not intended for clients. This page provides a brief overview of some of the benefits of investing in MyNorth Products. The adviser remains responsible for any advice/services they provide to clients including making their own inquiries and ensuring that the advice/services are appropriate and in accordance with all legal requirements.
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