Don’t let rising fuel prices drive you into a scam

It’s no secret that every day Australians are struggling with recent hikes in fuel prices. Unfortunately, scammers are well aware of the situation and are taking advantage of people looking for ways to save wherever they can. As a result, fuel-related scams are becoming increasingly common.

You might get a text offering a fuel rebate. Or, you might come across a social media ad promising massive petrol discounts. Some messages claim delivery fees or toll charges went up due to fuel prices and ask for a small payment before your parcel or account can be released.

At first, these scams look believable enough. The amounts asked for seem small. The wording sounds urgent, too. That’s exactly what scammers want. They want people to react fast and enter card details, banking data, or passwords.

This can happen to anyone. You’re busy, distracted, paying bills, picking kids up, or heading home after work. Then a message pops up on your phone saying your package is delayed until a fuel surcharge gets paid. In a rushed moment, it’s easy to click first and question it later.

This article walks through the fuel scams making the rounds right now, warning signs worth paying attention to, plus simple ways you can protect your money and personal data.

Fuel discount and rebate scams

Fuel discount and rebate scams involve fake messages that promise cheaper petrol, fuel vouchers, or money-back offers. The scammer then asks for card details or banking information to “process” the rebate or unlock the discount.

You might see these scams via:

• Text
• Email
• Social media
• Fake competition posts

Some messages claim you qualify for a special fuel rebate program. Others advertise massive discounts at major petrol stations. After clicking the link, you’re taken to a fake website where scammers steal personal or financial data.

Here are some example messages:

• “Claim your $100 fuel rebate today”
• “Australians can access new fuel relief payments”
• “Get 40 cents off per litre before midnight”

If you see a similar message or anything related to fuel that looks too good to be true, check for these warning signs:

• Huge discounts that seem unrealistic
• Messages arriving out of nowhere
• Requests for banking or card details through links
• Web addresses with strange spelling
• Poor grammar or awkward wording

Legitimate rebate programs don’t ask for sensitive banking information through random texts or social media ads.

If a fuel offer comes into your inbox unexpectedly, take a minute before doing anything. Visit the company’s official website or use their official app instead of tapping the link in the message.

Fake fuel surcharge scams

Fake fuel surcharge scams are messages claiming extra fees now apply because of rising fuel costs. The scammer wants you to click a link and enter payment or banking details.

These scams may come through:

• Fake delivery notifications
• Toll payment alerts
• Account restriction warnings

You might get a message saying your parcel can’t be delivered until a small fuel surcharge is paid, for example. Another might claim that your toll account faces suspension due to unpaid fuel-related fees.

Some messages sound believable because the amount being asked for isn't very much, sometimes only a few dollars. But it's not the cash the scammers want. It's your private information.

Watch out for these red flags:

• Strange web addresses or spelling mistakes
• Pressure to pay immediately
• Requests for banking details through text links
• Messages from random mobile numbers
• Generic greetings instead of your real name

If you get a suspicious message, don’t tap the payment link. Instead, open the delivery company or toll app yourself and check your account there. If there’s a real issue, it’ll appear inside your account through the legitimate website or app.

How to stay alert

Scammers use social engineering tactics to play on your emotions and make the situation seem like an emergency. It's not, and you don't have to rush. Give yourself a few minutes to pause and make an informed decision.

Here's how to protect yourself:

• Stop and think before clicking anything.
• Treat unexpected offers or urgent payment requests with caution.
• Never enter banking details through links sent by text or email.
• Check rebates, discounts, or surcharge claims through the official website or app.
• Watch for strange wording, spelling errors, or suspicious web addresses.
• Contact the company yourself if something seems off.

A little caution can save a lot of trouble

Fuel prices and household costs are putting pressure on plenty of Australians right now. Scammers know people are searching for ways to save money in any way they can. That's why these types of scams can and do work.

Don't put your guard down. Pause before you click anything. Check the website yourself, and never enter your personal data via a link sent to your phone or email.

ScamWatch is an excellent resource for discovering how to best protect yourself from the latest scams or to report a possible scam. Visit their website to learn more.