$174 million. That’s the estimated cost of scams to the Australian economy in just the first half of 2025, according to ScamWatch. With over 108,000 reports already logged, it’s clear: scams aren’t slowing down. They’re evolving.
And they’re not picky. As ScamWatch reminds us, “Scams don’t discriminate and can affect anyone.” Whether you’re a school principal, an aged care coordinator, a small business owner, or a frontline worker, the risk is real and rising.
At Cybermate, we believe that awareness is a form of armour. It’s not just about spotting dodgy links or suspicious calls. It’s about building a culture where scam-savvy behaviour is second nature.
That means:
- Knowing how scams operate in your sector
- Talking openly about near-misses and actual incidents
- Equipping teams with tools that make scam detection second nature
- Reporting every attempt, even if no money was lost
As the AFP puts it: “Every report helps track patterns and protect others in our community.” That’s not just a civic duty. It’s a strategic move. The more data we feed into national systems, the harder it becomes for scammers to hide.
Who’s Responsible? All of Us
Scam prevention isn’t just a tech problem. It’s a shared responsibility. The AFP calls out police, government, business, and individuals as key players in building a scam-aware community. Cybermate adds one more: sectors that support others.
We’re here to make cybersecurity accessible, behavioural, and emotionally intelligent, especially for environments where compliance fatigue and resource constraints are real. That means:
- Tailored modules for schools, aged care, and business
- Real-world scenarios that reflect sector-specific threats
- Nudges, reminders, and frictionless reporting pathways
- Co-branded outreach that builds trust and uptake
What To Do If You’re Targeted
If you or someone you know has been affected by a scam or cybercrime:
- Report it via the Australian Cyber Security Centre
- Call 000 if there’s an immediate threat to life or safety
- Reach out for support via Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
Even if you didn’t suffer a financial loss, reporting matters. It helps authorities track patterns, shut down networks, and protect others.
Final Word: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Defence
Scammers thrive on hesitation. They exploit gaps in awareness, delays in reporting, and assumptions that someone else is handling it. Cybermate exists to close those gaps proactively, empathetically, and sector by sector.
