Email Scams Are Getting Smarter — But So Can You

Once upon a time, scam emails were easy to spot — clumsy spelling, strange stories about a foreign prince, and promises of easy money.

Those days are gone. Today’s smart email scams look sharper, sound more believable, and use new tricks (including artificial intelligence) to fool even the savviest of us.

Here’s how some of the latest smart email scams work — and what you can do to protect yourself.

The “I Caught You on Camera” Email Scams

You might receive an email that appears to come from your own address. It claims the sender has installed spyware on your computer, filmed you doing something embarrassing, and will share the footage with your contacts unless you pay a ransom — usually in cryptocurrency.

Sometimes they’ll even include an old password, your home address, or a photo of your house from Google Maps. It’s all designed to make you panic.

But here’s the truth:

• They don’t have your webcam or your files.

  
  

• They’re using email spoofing, a trick that makes a message look like it came from you.

  
  

• Any “password” they mention likely came from an old data breach, not from your device.

  
  

If you see an old password you still use — change it immediately. Otherwise, ignore the message. Do not reply, and never send money.

Tip: Real blackmail threats would include actual proof — these don’t. They rely on fear, not facts.

The “Fake Purchase” Email Scams

Another common email scam is a receipt or invoice for something expensive you

didn’t buy — maybe a new laptop, antivirus software, or PayPal payment. The email will include a “helpline number” to call if you didn’t authorise the payment. That’s where the real trap begins.

Once you call, the scammer may ask for your credit card details or offer to “help” by remotely connecting to your computer, then claim you have problems that require payment.

Defeating this type of scam is easy to do if you follow a few simple rules:

• Don’t call numbers in emails - If you’re unsure, go directly to the company’s official website and contact support from there.

  
  

• Check your bank or credit card statement — if there’s no charge, the email was fake.

  
  

• Ignore surprise invoices - even if they look professional, scammers can easily copy company logos and layouts.

  
  

🧠 Tip: Real receipts include exact payment details — last four digits of your card, delivery address, or order ID. Fakes usually don’t.

AI: The Scammer’s New Sidekick

Artificial intelligence has given scammers powerful new tools. Now they can write flawless scam emails, make fake images or videos, and even personalise messages to sound like they know you.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• AI-written emails look polished — no typos or strange grammar to warn you.

  
  

• AI image tools can generate fake photos of people, pets, or even friends. Some scammers now create “lost pet” scams using photos that look real but aren’t.

  
  

• AI research tools can quickly find your public details online, like where you work, your hobbies, or events you’ve attended — and use them to make emails more personalised and more convincing.

  
  

So don’t trust a message just because it “sounds right.” Always pause and verify through another channel — phone, text, or in person - and never click on a link provided within an email you suspect of being a scam.

🧠 Tip: If something feels off, take a breath before you click. Scammers thrive on urgency and build that into their messaging — calm thinking is your best defence.

Staying One Step Ahead of Smart Email Scams

Even though scams are evolving, the goal remains the same - to make you act fast and emotionally. You can outsmart them by:

1. Slowing down — never rush to respond.

2. Checking the source — use official websites, not email links or phone numbers.

3. Keeping passwords unique — never reuse them.

4. Talking it through — if something feels wrong, ask a friend or family member first.

   
   

Remember: You are not alone. Thousands of Australians report similar smart email scams every week. Sharing your story helps protect others, too.

Quick Check

✅ Don’t panic when you get a strange or threatening email

✅ Never send money or cryptocurrency to strangers

✅ Don’t click on links or call numbers in suspicious messages

✅ Update passwords if you recognise them in scam emails

✅ Verify purchases through your bank or the company’s website

✅ Report scams to Scamwatch.gov.au

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Do’s & Don’ts for Smart Email Scams

🟢 Do’s

• Pause before reacting — take a deep breath

• Check official websites before calling or clicking

• Use strong, unique passwords

• Update old passwords found in scam emails

• Ask a friend or family member for a second opinion

• Report scams at Scamwatch.gov.au

🔴 Don’ts

• Don’t send money or cryptocurrency to anyone online

• Don’t call numbers or click links in suspicious emails

• Don’t assume perfect grammar means a real message

• Don’t let fear or embarrassment stop you from reporting a scam