Australian banks are working to protect you against scams
14 February 2023
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has issued an alert to highlight the importance of staying vigilant against romance scams.
With romance and dating scams the second most prevalent type of scam in Australia in terms of total losses, the ABA’s message supports the awareness-raising campaign launched by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch.
“Vigilance is required at all times of the year as scammers grow increasingly persistent and sophisticated in their tactics”
ABA CEO, Anna Bligh
Scamwatch received almost 3700 reports of dating and romance scams last year, with more than $40 million lost – an eight per cent increase compared to the previous year.
People aged over 65 are particularly vulnerable to this type of scam, losing $13 million with more than 600 incidents reported.
While women are reporting the highest dollar value losses ($27m) to romance scams, men are making the higher number of reports (2012 reports), Scamwatch found.
ABA Chief Executive Officer Anna Bligh said it is important to remain vigilant against scammers in all aspects of digital life, given many romance scammers operate online.
“Vigilance is required at all times of the year as scammers grow increasingly persistent and sophisticated in their tactics,” Ms Bligh said.
“However, around Valentine’s Day particular attention is needed for would-be romance scammers who are predominantly reaching out via mobile apps, social networking and increasingly via text message.
“Always pause to question the authenticity of these messages.”
Romance scammers tend to have fake online profiles, communicate frequently, will typically avoid video chats and will work hard to gain their victim’s trust, often with gifts and emotional anecdotes and stories, the ACCC reports.
“Always pause to question the authenticity of these messages.”
ABA CEO, Anna Bligh
How to spot a romance scammer:
- Search profiles online and see if anecdotes appear from romance scam survivors.
- Check photos provided by doing a reverse image search on Google to see if the photo has been attached to other profiles.
- Compare profiles on the dating website with social media pages to identify inconsistencies.
- Analyse photos of documents provided for evidence of forgery e.g., travel bookings, airline tickets or visas.
Source: ACCC
More information:
- Report scams via on the Scamwatch report form.
- Get advice on helping a friend or family member who is a victim to a scam here.
Latest news
Media Releases
JOINT INDUSTRY STATEMENT: Australia–EU Agreements Deliver Opportunity Across the Economy
Read more
24 March 2026
Leading Australian business, industry, investment and peak body organisations welcome the conclusion of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of the Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership, and the decision to fast-track negotiations for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. These outcomes provide much-needed clarity and confidence at a time when businesses, investors, and researchers… Read more »
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham on the economic contribution of banks: transcript of interview on FiveAA
Read more
17 March 2026
E&OE Radio Interview FiveAA Breakfast with David Penberthy and Will Goodings 17 March 2026. Topics: Tax paid by Australian banks; RBA Powers to regulate big tech David Penberthy (Host): Well, it’s a big amount of money, $16 billion that’s how much tax Australia’s biggest banks paid last year. And at the same time, organisations like Apple, Google and Meta, you think about the ease with which and the frequency with which we… Read more »
Op-Ed
Big tech, like large financial institutions, must pay fair share of tax
Read more
16 March 2026
This opinion piece by ABA CEO Simon Birmingham originally appeared in the Australian Financial Review. In an attempt to avoid domestic regulatory scrutiny, large foreign multinationals have developed a curious rhetorical strategy. The larger their footprint in Australia’s financial system becomes, the more strenuously they insist they are marginal, incidental or merely technical intermediaries. For years, Apple has… Read more »