Can you spot a scam?
Ten messages, some real Australian scams and some genuinely safe — can you tell which is which? You'll get a score out of ten and the tell behind every one. It takes two minutes, and it's the fastest way to sharpen the instinct that keeps you (and the people you share it with) from being caught out.
SMS · from “AusPost”
AusPost: Your parcel AU7301992 could not be delivered due to an incomplete address. To avoid return to sender, confirm your details and pay the $2.99 redelivery fee within 24hrs: auspost-redelivery[.]example
What this quiz teaches
Nearly every scam message relies on the same handful of tricks, and once you can name them you start seeing them everywhere. The quiz is built around the tells that separate a scam from a genuine message:
- Urgency and deadlines. “Within 24 hours”, “or your account will be suspended” — pressure exists to stop you thinking. Real organisations give you time.
- A link to click or a login to enter. Government services and banks don't send you a link to log in to myGov or your bank. A genuine alert points you to the official app or asks you to type the address yourself.
- A small payment or a “fee”. A $2.99 redelivery fee or a tiny unpaid toll is designed to feel harmless — it's really there to capture your card details.
- Fear or a too-good windfall. A scary pending payment, or an unclaimed refund that vanishes if you don't rush, are both bait for the same click.
- It asks you to do something. Genuine informational messages — a delivery on its way, a one-time code, an appointment reminder — simply tell you something. If a message needs you to act through a link, be suspicious.
Do it with the people you want to protect
Scammers target everyone, but older Australians lose the most, and a two-minute quiz is an easier conversation-starter than a lecture. Share your score, get a parent or grandparent to beat it, and talk through the ones that caught either of you out. One rule covers most of it: never click a link or pay because a message told you to — check first, using a number or app you already trust.
Frequently asked questions
How does the scam quiz work?
You're shown 10 messages — a mix of real Australian scam texts and genuine, safe ones. For each, you decide whether it's a scam or legit. At the end you get a score out of 10 and, for every message, the specific tell that gives it away. It takes about two minutes.
Are these real scam messages?
The scam examples are based on real reported Australian scams — fake Australia Post redelivery fees, toll notices, myGov suspensions, bank alerts, ATO refunds and Medicare renewals. Links are defanged so nothing is clickable. The legit examples are everyday safe messages, chosen to be clearly genuine.
What's the easiest way to spot a scam text?
Ask what the message wants you to do. Scams almost always push you to act fast — click a link, pay a small fee, or 'verify' your details — using urgency or fear. Genuine informational messages don't send you to a login or payment link and don't threaten you with a deadline. When in doubt, don't use the link; go to the official app or type the website address yourself.
How can I help my parents avoid scams?
Do the quiz together and talk through the tells. Agree on one simple rule that covers most scams: never click a link in an unexpected message, and never pay or log in because a text told you to — check with the organisation using a number or app you already trust. You can also install Scam Scanner on their phone so they can check anything suspicious in seconds.
Got a real message you're unsure about? Don't guess — paste it into the free message checker for an instant verdict, or see what to do if you've already been caught out.