“Hackers now have really sophisticated attack methods, professionally crafted using AI and very hard to detect.”—John Ooi, Chief Information Security Officer, Australian Unity
Key points
- The impact of online scams extends beyond financial losses, affecting the emotional wellbeing of victims and those closest to them.
- We provide practical advice and support for our customers, and are continually developing new strategies and tools to better prevent, detect, and respond to evolving cyber threats and scams.
- Engaging in open conversations with family and friends helps raise awareness about scams and fosters a collective approach to staying secure in the digital age.
Have you noticed you’ve been getting more emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be from a legitimate business? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Australian Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre, Australians lost $2 billion to scams in 2024.
Years of rapid digital transformation and advancing technology, particularly in the field of generative AI, have made malicious attacks more frequent and harder to spot, says John Ooi, Australian Unity’s Chief Information Security Officer.
“Hackers now have really sophisticated attack methods,” he emphasises. “It’s professionally crafted using AI and very hard to detect.”
Sadly, for victims of online theft and fraud, the consequences can go beyond financial loss, potentially affecting their mental and emotional health, and even their relationships—all of which can impact on their wellbeing.
We’re committed to supporting our customers’ wellbeing—which, in turn, means keeping your data and money secure. To do so, we’re constantly developing new skills and strategies to prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats and scams.
Read on to find out how we are working to protect your finances and privacy, and for expert tips on staying safe online.
We’ve got your back
Unfortunately, there’s no question that cybercrime is an issue in Australia. The National Anti-Scam Centre’s Targeting Scams Report lists investment ($945 million) romance ($156.8 million), payment reduction ($152.6 million), remote access ($106 million) and phishing ($84.5 million) as the top five scam types in 2024. So at Australian Unity, we’re constantly re-evaluating our approach to cyber security, and looking to strengthen our defences and minimise our vulnerability to attacks.
It’s a constant race to stay one step ahead for our fraud detection and financial crime teams. For example, one customer enquiry led Australian Unity’s contact centre staff to suspect that he was in the early stages of a romance scam, as he was sending money to someone he had never met in person. By gently educating and supporting the customer, the team was able to alert him to the scam and are working to recover his money.
This quick thinking by our contact centre team is the result of what John describes as a major staff awareness program to create a “security-minded workforce” and culture.
He also adds that, as a proactive security measure, Australian Unity “subscribes to a service that enables us to tap into the dark web to look for any accounts that have been stolen and traded”. This allows us to notify customers, who may be unaware that their private health insurance or bank accounts have been compromised, that they may be at risk of fraud.
The impact of online theft and fraud on wellbeing
While cyber attacks primarily target a person’s financial assets, the repercussions can extend much further, including the severe emotional toll that scams, identity theft and fraud can take.
Many victims experience a great deal of shame, which can affect their mental and emotional wellbeing, and may even make them hesitant to seek help or report the attack.
Additionally, where the financial loss is significant, the impact can ripple out to close family members, including the children, partners and parents of the victim, which can intensify their feelings of guilt and shame.
With cybercrime and scams escalating, it’s important for victims to understand that they are not at fault. The tricks are increasingly clever and sophisticated, which means anyone can fall victim to a scam.
.jpg?h=650&w=1200&hash=1703EABE8246CDADBC7243891F64A5F5)
Practical tips to help you stay safe online
Cyber threats may be relentless, but vigilance, knowledge and the right strategies can help you safeguard your privacy and finances.
John reiterates the top three tips from the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Awareness Month:
- Update your devices regularly.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication.
- Back up your important files.
You can also use ScamWatch as an invaluable resource to keep up to date with the latest scams.
Remember to report any scams and have regular conversations with friends and family about cyber risks. Having open discussions can build awareness, protect friends and family and contributes to the ongoing community effort against cybercriminals.
Cyber security is a collective effort, and the more informed and prepared we are, the better we can protect ourselves.
