News
13 September, 2025
Scam alarm bells
CABOOLTURE has been named one of Queensland’s top five scam hotspots, with new data from Westpac revealing the suburbs and regions hardest hit by scammers over the past year.
The 4510 postcode joined Cairns, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Nerang on the state’s list, with scams costing locals dearly, despite overall scam losses declining nationwide.
The data, based on customer reports to Westpac, shows that scammers are having the biggest impact in high-density and rapidly growing areas, with Sydney’s CBD topping the national list.
While scam numbers are naturally higher in states with larger populations, the rate of scams is highest in Western Australia and Queensland respectively.
Westpac Head of Fraud Prevention, Ben Young, said scammers were targeting communities across Australia with increasingly sophisticated tactics.
“From fake investment opportunities to irresistible online deals, scams are reaching Australians in every corner of the country. Scammers are constantly adapting and using emotional triggers and digital platforms to exploit Australians,” Mr Young said.
He said fast-growing areas had traditionally been hotspots, but scammers were now also targeting businesses in city centres.
“The spike in reports from Sydney and Melbourne CBDs is partly driven by a rise in invoice or business email compromise scams targeting businesses. We know scammers are opportunistic and going after businesses may seem like an easy money-making opportunity.”
The data shows the scam types driving the largest losses remain investment scams, followed by business email compromise, impersonation, romance, and threat and penalty scams.
“It’s encouraging to see overall scam losses continue to come down, but we know the impact on individuals and businesses can be devastating,” Mr Young said.
“Regardless of where our customers live, we’re continuing to invest in new ways to detect and prevent scams and support our customers with education and awareness,” Mr Young said.
“We’re stopping millions of dollars in scam attempts every month but this is not a fight we can win alone. The telcos and digital platforms can play a huge role in stopping scams at the source, protecting more people from these ruthless criminals.
“Our message is simple, if something feels off, take a moment to check before you click, pay or share your details. A few extra seconds could save you thousands of dollars.”
Tips to help protect yourself from scammers:
Never give out your personal or financial information to anyone you don’t know or trust.
Don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media messages.
Do your research before buying anything online and check the seller’s reputation and reviews.
Always phone a company on a trusted number to check the payment details are correct before paying an invoice.
Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true.
Don’t send money or gift cards to someone you’ve never met in person, no matter how convincing their story is.
Phone a family member or friend if you’re unsure about anything.
