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Hoping everyone had a Merry Christmas and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

From my community to yours @Tracy Stephenson The internet is now the world’s biggest marketplace — and the biggest hunting ground for confidence tricksters. These scams don’t rely on hacking skills… they rely on psychology. They work because they exploit trust, fear, urgency, loneliness, greed, hope, or curiosity. Here are 10 of the most common confidence tricks doing the rounds right now — the ones everyday Australians are falling for every single day: 1. The “Trusted Brand” Impersonation Scammers clone the websites of banks, Australia Post, Telstra, ATO, MyGov, or Netflix to “verify details” or “fix an account issue.” Red flag: Urgent login request + perfect-looking fake site. 2. The “Package Delivery” Text Trap A message claiming a parcel can’t be delivered until you pay a small fee or update details. Red flag: Random tracking numbers, weird links, or unfamiliar courier companies. 3. Investment & Crypto Impersonator Schemes Fake brokers, “experts,” or AI-generated influencers promising guaranteed returns. Red flag: Screenshots of fake profits + pushy personal account managers. 4. Romance Scams & Emotional Grooming Long-term manipulation where someone builds trust, then suddenly needs money for an “emergency.” Red flag: They’re perfect… until they need funds. 5. Fake Online Stores Beautiful websites selling products at unreal prices — but nothing ever arrives. Red flag: No ABN, no physical address, no returns page, limited payment methods. 6. Job Opportunity & Work-From-Home Traps High-pay, low-effort jobs that require “training fees” or collecting/forwarding goods. Red flag: Payment before employment. 7. Social Media “Friend in Trouble” Hack A hacked account messages you urgently asking for help or money. Red flag: It feels out of character or rushed. 8. Fake Tech Support Pop-Ups A warning screen saying your device is infected and telling you to call a number. Red flag: Alarming language + random pop-ups that take over the screen.

Your reputation online will be defined by your actions and how well you deliver on your promises. Integrity isn’t just a value—it’s the cornerstone of success in every aspect of life. If you want to learn more be sure to check out the classroom tab. Bill Pipke explains how trust, authenticity, and dignity and more can be measured and strengthened to help us become better leaders and better people. “Trust is the currency of integrity.” Want to explore the Six Pillars of Integrity? Check out Bill Pipke’s course or his book, Integrity: The Best Foundation! https://learnonlinesecurity.com/blog/integrity-the-key-to-business-and-life-and-security