Before making an online payment, pause and verify the person or organisation receiving the money, the reason for the payment and the payment details.
If the request came through a message, call or social media account, verify it independently. Do not assume that a familiar name, profile or branding proves that the payment request is genuine.
Be particularly careful when someone creates urgency, asks you to move money to a different account, tells you to ignore normal security steps or asks you to keep the transaction secret.
When buying online, check the website, seller details, payment instructions and the exact destination of the payment. Avoid relying only on reviews, logos or a professional-looking page.
Never provide your banking password, PIN or one-time password to someone simply because they claim that it is needed to complete or secure a payment.
Cyber Conduct's Before You Pay check can help you work through the key questions before sending money. If you already paid a scammer, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and use the relevant Get Help guide.