A Real-World Example: “The Urgent Payment” Scam: 
A Rotary member receives an email that appears to come from a colleague, asking for urgent payment of an invoice before a deadline. The tone is familiar, the signature looks correct, and the request feels time-sensitive.    

Before acting, the member pauses and phones the colleague directly using a known number. The colleague confirms they never sent the request—it was a scam.

What made the difference?

• They didn’t rely on email alone
• They paused before acting
• They verified by checking with a trusted colleague.

Scammers increasingly mimic trusted people and organisations. A quick independent check can prevent a costly mistake..

Protect Yourself Online – Updated 2026 Guidance

Cyber security remains critical in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment. The following six actions reflect current best practice, drawing on updated guidance from the Australian Signals Directorate:

1. Use Strong Passwords—and a Password Manager: Create long, unique passwords for every account. A password manager is strongly recommended to generate and securely store them.
2. Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA wherever possible, especially for email and banking. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS where available.
3. Keep Devices and Apps Updated Automatically: Set devices and apps to update automatically to protect against known vulnerabilities.
4. Be Alert to Scams and Phishing: Scams are increasingly sophisticated, including AI-generated messages and voice cloning. Be cautious with unexpected emails, texts or calls—especially those creating urgency. Always verify independently.
5. Protect Your Identity and Key Accounts: Your email is the “master key” to your digital life. Secure it with a strong password and MFA, and regularly check recovery settings.
6. Secure Your Connections: Use strong passwords for home Wi-Fi and avoid sensitive transactions on public networks, or use a trusted VPN.

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed – Act Quickly and take immediate action:

• Contact your bank straight away if money or financial details are involved
• Change passwords on affected accounts, especially email and banking
• Enable or reset MFA where needed
• Report the scam to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au)
• Seek help via IDCARE if personal identity information has been exposed
• Warn others (family, colleagues, networks) to prevent further harm

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