PSA: Scams Are on the Rise - Stay Safe at Home & While Travelling
Scams are becoming more frequent, more convincing, and harder to spot — largely due to the rise of AI-generated messages, fake profiles, and spoofed phone numbers. Whether you’re at home or travelling overseas, staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your personal information.
This public service announcement outlines the most common scams to watch out for, how they often target mobile phone users, and how smart travel connectivity choices (like eSIMs) can help reduce your exposure.
Most Common Scams You Should Know About
1. Investment Scams
Often disguised as:
- “VIP investment groups”
- Crypto or foreign exchange opportunities
- Guaranteed or “low-risk” returns
These scams commonly appear via messaging apps and social media, often from strangers posing as experts.
🚩 Red flag: Pressure to act quickly or keep the opportunity secret.
2. Threat & Penalty Scams
Messages claiming:
- Unpaid bills or fines
- Toll road or parking penalties
- Tax or government debts
These messages usually include urgent language and fake links.
🚩 Red flag: Requests for immediate payment or personal details via SMS.
3. Personal Information & Phishing Scams
Designed to trick you into providing:
- Passport or ID details
- Account login credentials
- One-time verification codes
🚩 Red flag: Links that look legitimate but lead to fake websites.
4. Fake Jobs & Employment Opportunities
- Easy remote work with high pay
- Requests for upfront fees
- Being paid before any real work is done
🚩 Red flag: Job offers that require payment or personal documents early.
5. Dating & Romance Scams
Scammers build trust over time before asking for money or claiming emergencies.
🚩 Red flag: Avoiding video calls or moving conversations off trusted platforms.
6. Unexpected Money, Refunds or Prizes
- Prize winnings you didn’t enter
- Refunds you weren’t expecting
- Inheritance or compensation claims
🚩 Red flag: Being asked to pay a fee to receive money.
7. Online Shopping, Classified & Auction Scams
- Fake listings or sellers
- Non-delivery of goods
- Requests to pay outside secure platforms
🚩 Red flag: Deals that seem too good to be true.
Why Travellers Are Often Targeted 🎯
When travelling, people rely heavily on their phones, use unfamiliar networks, and are more likely to respond quickly to urgent messages. Scammers often time attacks around flight days, hotel check-ins, roaming notifications, and payment alerts.
How Mobile Phone Choices Can Reduce Scam Risk
Using an eSIM Can Help
While no solution is foolproof, using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM can reduce certain risks:
- No SIM swapping (a common account takeover method)
- No need to share passport or ID photos with foreign SIM vendors
- Instant activation without physical handling
- Better separation between personal phone number and travel data
Practical Tips to Stay Safe
- Never click links from unexpected messages
- Do not share one-time verification codes
- Verify payments and fines via official websites
- Use strong passwords (minimum 12 characters) and two-factor authentication
- Trust your instincts - urgency is a common scam tactic.
- Slow down and think 🐢
Final Reminder
Scammers rely on confusion, urgency, and distraction. Staying informed - especially while travelling - is your first line of defence. Choosing secure connectivity options and protecting your personal information can significantly reduce your risk.
Stay connected. Stay alert. Stay safe. 🔒
