Protecting the aging population from scams

THE Bellarine Police Station’s Community Engagement Unit is helping fight the rising risk of scams in older demographic groups.

More than 50 presentations have taken place within the community, with police targeting local groups, agencies and older living communities.

The presentations aim to provide people with the confidence to deal with different types of scams, and arm them with an understanding of how offenders do it and how to react both online and verbally.

People who get scammed can often feel embarrassed or ashamed about it, with some scammers also threatening legal action against the victim.

“Often there is a threat of police or the Australian Tax Office (ATO) enforcement and we satisfy and support our audience that this won’t happen and we will support them,” Bellarine Police Station’s Sergeant Shane Connolly said.

Through the program, it’s hoped the community will feel more confident in dealing with and identifying scams, helping to protect their wealth and mental health.

The Bellarine Community Engagement Unit also has presentations on home safety, elder abuse, bullying, sextortion, policing the Bellarine and banning processes.

The unit first started in 2018, initially working in schools to create liaison members before identifying scams as a major concern in older demographics.

Retired leading senior constable Justin Judd requested an information point that assisted the community in dealing with and preventing scams.

National Seniors Australia has recently issued a warning to seniors about the types of scams circulating at tax time.

Seniors are being urged to be cautious of emails and text messages, especially the ones sent over night, from people claiming to be from the ATO.

Data from the National Anti-Scam Centre shows the biggest losses are coming from phishing scams, with Australians losing $13.7 million to scams in the first four months of 2025, compared to $4.6 million in early 2024.

To spot a tax time scam, people are encouraged to look at the messaging carefully, check for errors, unusual hyperlinks, the sender’s email address and unexpected requests.