The NSW government has introduced a range of cutting-edge tools to enhance online safety in response to the concerning rise in scam activities throughout Australia. These measures were implemented during Scams Awareness Week. Designers created these new tools to address the unequal impact of scams on young adults, as individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 are most susceptible to becoming fraud victims. The NSW government has proactively addressed concerning trends, such as a significant increase in scam reports from individuals under 18 compared to the previous year. The Australian Institute of Criminology published this information.

Rising scam impact

The number and severity of scams in Australia have been rising, causing a significant impact on individuals and businesses. Reported scams increased significantly in 2023, rising by almost 20%. The National Anti-Scam Centre reported a total of 601,000 incidents and a staggering $2.7 billion in losses. This surge highlights that we need stronger protective measures and increased public awareness to address the escalating threat immediately. Young adults aged 18 to 24 face a higher risk of falling victim to fraud and scams compared to other demographics. 

The Australian Institute of Criminology has revealed a concerning pattern among younger individuals, indicating that scam incidents involving those under the age of 18 have increased fourfold compared to the previous year. Seeing scammers focus more on younger, digitally savvy individuals who may not have the knowledge or awareness to detect fraudulent activities is alarming. These scams cause far-reaching consequences that extend beyond just financial losses, impacting the emotional and psychological well-being of those who become victims. 

Scammers can potentially cause a significant loss of trust in digital platforms, resulting in long-term financial strain and a decline in confidence when it comes to online transactions. Providing focused education and resources to assist younger individuals in identifying and preventing scams is important, as it emphasises the increase in scams reported among this demographic.

Essential online protection tools

1. Teacher’s Toolkit

ID Support NSW has specifically designed an extensive online resource for educators. This toolkit aims to help students in years 9–12 develop the necessary skills to effectively navigate potential risks they may encounter online. Jihad Dib, the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, emphasises: “It’s never too early to build awareness around scams and fraud, and the Teacher’s Toolkit is a resource teachers can use to help students understand online risk and measures they can take to protect their identity.”

The toolkit features:

• Interactive activities
• Quizzes
• Educational videos
• Real-world case studies

Key lessons include:

• Password management: “Treat a password like a toothbrush – change them often and never share them with anyone.”
• Information sharing guidelines
• Scam identification techniques, such as recognising unusual domain names, email formats, and misleading hyperlinks

2. Data Breach Portal

Recently, ID Support NSW introduced a Data Breach Portal, which serves as a reliable platform for verifying the legitimacy of breach notifications. ID Support NSW had to inform almost 200,000 people about their personal information being compromised in 2023, making this tool highly significant. Several clients expressed concern about verifying the authenticity of the notification.

3. Personal Information Risk Assessment Tool (PIRAT)

PIRAT enables individuals and organisations to assess the potential risks associated with storing personal data. The following factors enable users to evaluate risk levels ranging from low to extreme:

• Information usage
• Potential appeal to cybercriminals

This tool enables both proactive and reactive purposes, allowing assessment before and after potential data breaches.

Online safety resources

ID Support NSW offers a variety of additional resources to enhance online safety:

• Educational tips
• Protective tools
• Informative webinars

Minister Dib illustrates the government’s dedication: “This Scams Awareness Week, we have an opportunity to highlight how people can stay safe online, and the NSW Government is investing in tools and resources that make it easier for people to identify a scam and check if they have been impacted by a data breach.”

These new tools show that many of us are taking a proactive stance in addressing the increasing prevalence of online scams. Residents of NSW can effectively protect themselves against digital threats by implementing a variety of strategies. Individuals can develop strong defences in the digital realm by focusing on educating young people, verifying data breach communications, and assessing personal information risks.

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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