Staying Safe from Suspicious Texts and WhatsApp Messages
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and SMS are great for staying in touch, but scammers also use them to trick people into giving away money or personal information. Both students and hosts may receive suspicious messages. Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid scams and protect your accounts. Government resources like ScamWatch from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission track common scams and provide advice on how to report them.
In this blog post…
Why Scammers Use WhatsApp and Text Messages
Common Warning Signs of a Scam
Scams Involving Fake Hosts or Students
What You Should and Should Not Do
How to Secure Your Accounts
How to Report a Scam
Final Safety Tip
Why Scammers Use WhatsApp and Text Messages
Scammers often use messaging apps because they can:
- Contact many people quickly
- Pretend to be someone else
- Create urgency so you respond without thinking
These scams can involve:
- Fake job offers
- Fake delivery notifications
- Investment opportunities
- People pretending to be from a government organisation like the Australian Tax Office (ATO), Department of Immigration, or myGov
- Someone pretending to be a host, student, or family member
Common Warning Signs of a Scam
You can visit these links for more detailed information on types of scams and how to spot and avoid them, but here are some of the most common red flags:
1. Messages From Unknown Numbers
If you receive a message from a number you do not recognise, especially from another country, be cautious.
Examples:
- “Hello, are you looking for work?”
- “Hi, I contacted you about accommodation.”
- “Hi Mum/Dad, I lost my phone. This is my new number.”
- “Your account has unusual activity. Click here to secure your account [link].”
- “You are due to receive an ATO refund of $xxx. Please complete the form here [link].”
If you were not expecting the message, do not reply straight away. If the message contains the name of someone you know, but it is from a number you have never seen before, contact the person on their usual number to ask if the message was from them.
2. Pressure or Urgency
Scammers often try to make you act quickly.
Examples:
- “Please send the money today.”
- “Your account will be closed if you don’t respond.”
- “This offer expires soon.”
If a message tries to rush you, stop and check first.
3. Requests for Money
A major warning sign is someone asking you to send money through:
- Bank transfer
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Payment apps
Legitimate organisations usually do not ask for payments through WhatsApp or SMS.
4. Suspicious Links
Many scams include links to fake websites designed to steal information.
These may look like:
- Delivery tracking pages
- Banking websites
- Government forms
Before clicking any link:
- Check the sender
- Look closely at the web address
- When in doubt, go directly to the organisation’s official website instead
5. Requests for Personal Information
Scammers may ask for:
- Passport details
- Bank details
- Passwords
- Verification codes
Never share this information with someone you do not fully trust.
Scams Involving Fake Hosts or Students
Sometimes scammers pretend to be connected to a host family or student. Unfortunately, we’ve had a few instances of this happen this year.
For example, a scammer may contact a student pretending to be a host. After chatting for a while and building trust, they may ask the student to pay for something in their home country on their behalf, such as sending money to someone or buying an item. They usually promise to repay the money later.
These requests are often for large sums of money.
Important things to remember:
- Legitimate hosts will never ask students to send money on their behalf
- Students should never send money to someone they have only spoken to online
- Always verify requests through official channels
If you receive a request like this, contact your accommodation provider directly before responding. You can get in touch with your local AHN office during business hours or call our 24/7 call centre on 1300 69 7829.
What You Should NOT Do
If you receive a suspicious message:
- Do not respond
- Do not send money
- Do not click suspicious links or call phone numbers you do not know
- Do not share personal information
- Do not send photos of documents
- Do not continue the conversation
Even replying “stop” can confirm that your number is active.
What You SHOULD Do
If you receive a suspicious message:
- Take a screenshot of the message
- Block the number
- Report the message
- Contact your accommodation provider, school, bank, etc. through their official website if the message claims to be related to them
How to Secure Your Accounts
Taking a few simple steps can help protect your accounts.
Enable Two-Step Verification
Both WhatsApp and many online services allow two-step verification, which adds an extra layer of security.
Use Strong Passwords
Choose passwords that are:
- Long
- Unique
- Not used for multiple accounts
Keep Apps Updated
Make sure WhatsApp, your phone, and other apps are updated regularly to maintain security.
Be Careful With Verification Codes
Never share verification codes sent to your phone. Scammers sometimes try to trick people into sending these codes to take over accounts.
How to Report a Scam
Reporting scams helps authorities track and stop them.
You can report scams to:
- ScamWatch
- Your bank (if money was involved)
- Your phone provider
- Your accommodation provider or university
If you accidentally sent money or shared details, contact your bank immediately.
Final Safety Tip
If a message feels strange, unexpected, or too good to be true, pause and check before responding.
Scammers rely on people acting quickly. Taking a moment to verify can prevent a serious problem.
