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Quick way to use this pageStart with the summary, use the jump links to skip to the part you need, and treat the related links as next steps rather than something you need to read in order.
Local advice for Melbourne North
Scam Risk Check for Australian Households: How Exposed Is Your Family Right Now?
Assess household scam risk and get sensible next steps for seniors, families and remote workers.
Why this page is differentHousehold risk profiles instead of generic “watch out for scams” advice.
🔍 Interactive Tool
Answer the questions to get your result
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Next steps
After You Get Your Result
📋 Real Example — Scam Risk Checker
A Reservoir grandmother called us after a 'Microsoft technician' convinced her to install AnyDesk. We disconnected remotely, removed the software, changed her email and banking passwords from our clean device, and briefed her family. No financial loss — because she called us first.
What's Actually Causing This?
Understanding the cause helps you make better decisions — and helps us fix it faster.
Urgency Pressure
Scammers create artificial urgency — "your account will be suspended" or "police are coming" — to prevent you thinking clearly. Legitimate organisations never rush you.
Payment Method Requested
Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or unusual payment apps are scam red flags. Banks, government agencies, and reputable companies never request these.
Unsolicited Contact
You didn't initiate the contact and they know concerning details about you — this is likely from a data breach. Hang up, don't click links.
Remote Access Requests
"Tech support" asking to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or similar tools to fix a problem you didn't report is a classic scam. Never allow this.
What To Do Next
What Your Result Means — Next Steps
Your result points to either an issue you can address yourself, or one that needs professional attention before it worsens.
Key Questions
Is It Worth Fixing? Can It Get Worse? Hardware or Software?
Scam or genuine? Genuine organisations never request payment via gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. Genuine tech support never calls you unsolicited. Genuine police never demand immediate payment to avoid arrest.
What happens if you act on a scam: Gift card payments are unrecoverable. Remote access sessions allow full account compromise within minutes. Credential disclosure enables account takeover that can persist for months.
What to do if you've been targeted: Disconnect from internet immediately if remote access was granted. Call your bank within the hour if payment was made. Change all passwords from a clean device. Report to Scamwatch.
🚨 Urgency note: If you allowed remote access from someone who called you — disconnect from the internet now and call us on 0452 323 571.
Related Tools
Other Useful Diagnostic Tools
Professional Help
Do You Need a Professional Repair?
✅ You can DIY if:
You can take immediately: hang up on any unsolicited call requesting remote access or payment; don't click links in unsolicited emails; verify any 'bank security team' by calling the number on the back of your card, not the number they gave you.
🔧 You need professional repair if:
You need professional help if: you've already allowed remote access from someone who called you; you've installed software at their request; your passwords may be compromised; or you've made a payment you now believe was fraudulent.
⚠️ What happens if you ignore this: A remote access session granted to a scammer provides full access to passwords, banking apps, email, and stored credentials. The damage from a scam-related compromise often takes months to fully identify and address. Act immediately if you suspect exposure.
Fast next steps
Use this page well
- Read the direct answer section first
- Use the linked tool or service page if you want a more exact answer
- Compare one repair cost with the device's age and support status
- Escalate quickly if there is data risk, swelling, liquid damage or safety risk
If you are unsure which page to use next, call 0452 323 571 and we can point you to the most useful next step instead of making you guess.
FAQ
Questions people usually ask next
How do I know if my household is at high scam risk?
Risk goes up with reused passwords, weak email security, untrained family members, constant unknown-call answering and devices that lack updates.
What should I do if someone already gave a scammer remote access?
Disconnect the device, change critical passwords from a clean device, speak to your bank if needed and arrange a proper security check quickly.
Why are seniors targeted so often?
Because scam scripts often rely on urgency, politeness and isolation, not lack of intelligence.
Related tools, guides and local help
Use these links to move from research to the right service, local page, or next diagnostic step.
Main service
Related pages
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