MEDIA RELEASE
5 April 2024
Local Woman Turns Cyber Scam Experience into Community Initiative
A St Kilda woman has transformed her experience as a victim of cybercrime into a community-driven initiative aimed at educating and empowering others.
Barbara Secombe, a 41-year-old veterinarian, fell victim to a phishing scam after receiving an email that appeared to be from her bank, prompting her to update her account details. After entering her information, Barbara unknowingly provided scammers access to her personal data.
“I felt so betrayed… it’s like I was blindfolded and they just took what they wanted,” Ms Secombe said.
Her experience reflects a broader issue across Australia, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing that more than 514,000 Australians (2.5%) experienced a scam in 2022-23.
With support from City of Port Phillip Councillor Jonathan Wynne, Ms Secombe has launched Cyber Savvy Women, a community initiative designed to raise awareness of online scams and provide practical education around cybersecurity.
“Empowering our community is at the heart of what we do,” Cr Wynne said. “This initiative is about giving people the tools and confidence to protect themselves online.”
Funded through the Port Phillip Community Grants Program, Cyber Savvy Women hosts weekly workshops and discussions every Thursday evening at the St Kilda Library, creating a supportive space for women to share experiences and build digital awareness.
“At our meetings, it feels like a gathering of friends,” Ms Secombe said. “We’re learning together and helping each other feel more confident online.”
Ms Secombe hopes her experience will encourage others to be more vigilant and seek support if they become victims of cybercrime.
“As confronting as it was, I wanted to turn it into something positive, something that could help others avoid going through the same experience,” she said.
Media Contact:
Chelsea Gittins
0459 214 749
City of Port Philip Media
Note: This is a mock media release created as part of university coursework.