Under-18s have lost more than $2 million to scammers since 2020, Scamwatch data shows.
Bendigo Bank has expanded its Banking Safely Online program to secondary schools to help empower young digital citizens.
Specifically tailored to high school students, the face-to-face sessions cover how to identify and avoid scams, spot financial fraud risks, and adopt secure practises for online banking transactions.
“Secondary school students face a flood of would-be scammers, fraud attempts, and other potentially serious challenges online,” customer protection senior manager Aaron Westberry said.
“The Banking Safely Online in Schools sessions are empowering, interactive, and highly relevant for younger people.”
Online shopping and classifieds scams caused the highest financial losses for those aged under 18 last year, with social media, text message, and emails the top contact methods used by scammers, Scamwatch found.
Mr Westberry said it was vital to beware of scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics.
“It’s important to never let the guard down against scammers, who will be trying their best to catch out unsuspecting students and their families,” Mr Westberry said.
“Don’t click on links that you aren’t 100 percent sure about, and beware calls and texts from people you don’t know who are requesting information – it could be a remote access scam.”
Stopping scammers in their tracks
Is the website real, or is the caller or texter really who they say they are?
Don’t skip the ‘enable multi-factor authentication’ step – your best defence against increasingly sophisticated scammers.
Beware remote access scams, which often target young people. Never provide personal or log-in information via phone or text to unsolicited contacts.
Be very suspicious. Don’t click on any links in emails or texts that you are unsure about.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Time is of the essence. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
Teachers, administrators, parents, and students are encouraged to enquire with their local Bendigo Bank branch to book a Banking Safely Online session for their secondary students.
