Fun? Sure.
“What’s your royal name?”
“Your Elf name is based on your birth month and favourite colour”
“First pet + favourite pasta = your rockstar alias.”
But did you know it is also a data buffet for scammers. It’s time to stop handing out your personal info like free samples at a supermarket.
Why That "Just-for-Fun" Quiz Is a Trap
You might think you’re just revealing that your monster name is Mr.Snuggles Sushi, but what you’re actually doing is handing over answers to the very questions your bank asks when you forget your password!
Let’s break it down – click the question to learn more:
Common security question used to verify identity and reset account passwords
You’re not just playing around; you’re practically building a hacker’s user manual to your life.
Who’s Collecting Your Info?
It’s usually not just your cousin Karen posting a harmless quiz for fun. Many are created by third-party websites or shady developers looking to harvest personal data, build detailed profiles, and in some cases use or sell that data to support scams, identity theft, or other online crime.
“But I Just Want to Know My Mermaid Name!”
We get it. They’re fun. But they can also be bait. If a quiz asks for personal details, requests Facebook login, or encourages you to share results to discover your “magical forest creature alter ego,” it’s probably collecting more than you think.
Send This to Your Mum
Seriously. Share this with your mum, a family member, or anyone you know who loves a good social media quiz. Many people don’t realise how much personal information these posts can reveal.
A quick heads-up could help stop a scam before it starts and protect your friends and family from financial loss. So if you’re going to share something on Facebook, skip the “What’s your leprechaun name?” quiz and share this article instead.
How to Stay Safe (While Still Having Fun Online)
- Avoid quizzes asking for personal info
- Lock down your Facebook privacy settings
- Never give quiz apps permission to access your friends or data
- Don’t overshare details like your birthday or family names online
- Think before you click, and definitely before you post “My Rapper Name Is Lil Whiskers”
Scammers aren’t always obvious. Sometimes they arrive wrapped in glitter, emojis and viral quizzes.
So before you hit share, ask yourself: “Would I want a scammer to know this?”
If the answer is no… maybe just text your bestie and laugh about how your royal name would obviously be Queen Chicken Parmigiana III.
Let's Keep Victoria Safe Together.
If you have information about a crime or suspicious activity, you can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers online reporting platform or call 1800 333 000.