How to Report a Scam in Australia 2025
Australians reported $2.03 billion in scam losses during 2024. Learn the correct channels to report scams to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, police, and IDCARE, and help protect others from fraud.
Every scam report matters:
In 2024, data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, IDCARE, ASIC, and the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange enabled coordinated responses that shut down thousands of fake websites. ASIC alone removed 7,227 investment scam sites. Telecommunications companies blocked 2.2 billion scam calls and 788 million scam SMS messages. The Job Scam Fusion Cell disrupted fake job networks targeting job seekers. Public warnings about emerging scam tactics reached millions of Australians before they fell victim.
Your report contributes to this collective defence. Authorities identify trends, track criminal networks, and issue targeted warnings based on the reports they receive. Even if you didn't lose money, reporting suspicious activity helps protect others who might be the scammer's next target.
Before You Report: Immediate Actions If Money Was Lost
If you've sent money to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. We're talking minutes, not hours.
Speed determines whether you can recover funds. Your bank may be able to stop pending transactions before they complete, freeze your accounts to prevent further unauthorised access, initiate chargeback procedures for credit card payments, or block transfers to known scam accounts.
Call using the official phone number on your bank card or their website, never numbers provided in scam messages. All these lines operate 24/7:
Commonwealth Bank uses 13 2221, NAB uses 1800 033 103, Westpac uses 1300 651 089, and ANZ uses 13 33 50. For detailed recovery steps, see our guide on what to do if you've been scammed.
Scamwatch: The Primary Reporting Platform
Scamwatch is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and serves as the primary reporting platform for all scam types.
Use Scamwatch when:
You've been targeted by a scammer but haven't lost money or shared personal details, when you want to warn others about a new scam tactic, when you've encountered suspicious activity online or via phone, or when you want to contribute to national scam statistics and trend analysis.
How to Report
Visit scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam and select the scam type from their categories covering phishing, investment fraud, job scams, romance scams, and more. Provide details including dates, amounts if applicable, contact methods used, and any scammer information you collected. Upload screenshots, emails, or other evidence if available. Submit the report and you'll receive a reference number for your records.
Understanding Scamwatch's Role
Scamwatch does not investigate individual cases or recover funds. Their purpose is collecting data to disrupt scams at a systemic level and warn the Australian public about emerging threats. Think of them as the intelligence gathering arm of the anti-scam effort. Your report feeds into a larger picture that shapes enforcement priorities and public awareness campaigns.
ReportCyber: For Police Investigation
ReportCyber is a national policing initiative managed by Commonwealth, State, and Territory police. Reports submitted through ReportCyber are triaged and referred to your local police for investigation.
Use ReportCyber when:
You've lost money to a scam and want police investigation, when personal details have been stolen and you're concerned about identity theft, when cybercrime has occurred (hacking, ransomware, data breach), or when you need an official police report for insurance or bank claims.
How to Report Online
The reporting process requires more detail than Scamwatch because police need evidence for potential prosecution. Visit cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover/report and create an account or sign in. Complete the detailed report including all financial losses with transaction dates and amounts. Upload every piece of evidence you have: emails, screenshots, transaction records, receipts, correspondence with the scammer, and anything else that documents what happened. Submit and receive a reference number you can use for follow-up with police, your bank, or insurance companies.
Alternative: Report In Person
You can attend your local police station in person to file a report if you prefer face-to-face interaction or if you're uncomfortable with online reporting. Bring all your evidence with you, ideally organised chronologically to help the officer understand the sequence of events.
IDCARE: Identity Theft and Recovery Support
IDCARE is Australia's national identity and cyber support service. Unlike Scamwatch and ReportCyber which focus on data collection and investigation, IDCARE provides free, expert assistance directly to victims.
Contact IDCARE when:
Scammers obtained your driver's license, passport, or Medicare details, when you suspect identity theft or fraudulent accounts opened in your name, when you need help creating a recovery plan to limit damage, or when you're simply unsure what steps to take after being scammed.
How to Contact IDCARE
You can reach IDCARE by phone at 1800 595 160, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm AEST. Their website at idcare.org allows you to submit a case online if you prefer written communication or need to report outside business hours. IDCARE will create a personalised response plan completely free of charge, including step-by-step guidance on securing your identity and preventing future misuse of your personal information.
What Sets IDCARE Apart
IDCARE provides hands-on support. They don't just collect your report and add it to a database. They work with you through the recovery process, advise on securing compromised accounts, help you understand what information was stolen and how it might be misused, provide emotional support during what can be a traumatic experience, and follow up to ensure you're protected long-term.
Additional Reporting Channels for Specific Scams
Different scam types sometimes require reporting to specialised authorities in addition to the main channels. Each specialised report complements rather than replaces Scamwatch and ReportCyber. When in doubt, report to multiple channels.
Investment Scams → ASIC
Report to ASIC , the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Check their investor alert list to see if the company that scammed you is already flagged. ASIC has enforcement powers specific to financial services and can take action against unlicensed operators.
Phone Scams → Telco Provider & ACMA
Report to your telecommunications provider (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or whoever you use) and to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) . Telcos can block specific numbers, and ACMA coordinates industry-wide responses to phone scam campaigns.
Email & Phishing Scams → report@phishing.gov.au
Forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.au so cyber security authorities can analyze tactics and issue warnings to protect other Australians.
Social Media Scams → Platform & Scamwatch
Social media scams require dual reporting. Report directly to the platform (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or whichever service hosted the scam) using their in-app reporting tools. Platforms can remove fake accounts and scam posts. Then also report to Scamwatch because social media companies don't share data with Australian authorities systematically. Your Scamwatch report ensures government agencies know about the scam even if the platform takes no action.
Banking Fraud → Your Bank Immediately
Contact your bank's fraud department immediately using official contact details from your card or their website, never numbers provided in suspicious messages.
Job Scams → Job Platform
Report to the platform where you found the listing (Seek, Indeed, LinkedIn) so they can remove fake postings and warn other job seekers.
What Information to Include in Your Report
Comprehensive reports help authorities more than vague summaries. The more detail you provide, the better authorities can investigate and warn others facing the same scam.
Basic Contact Information
Include the date and time of contact, how you were contacted (phone, email, SMS, social media, in person), what the scammer claimed or offered, names or aliases the scammer used, and company names mentioned. Document all contact details including phone numbers used, email addresses, website URLs, social media profiles or pages, and any physical addresses provided even if you suspect they're fake.
Financial Information (If Money Was Lost)
Record the amount lost, payment method used (bank transfer, credit card, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer), any bank account details you provided to the scammer, transaction dates and reference numbers, and receipts or confirmation emails you received. Even if the amounts seem small, report them. Scammers often test victims with small requests before escalating.
Evidence (Critical for Investigation)
Take screenshots of messages and emails before the scammer deletes accounts. Save call logs showing incoming calls from scammer numbers. Photograph any documents received. Keep bank statements showing fraudulent transactions. Store any correspondence with the scammer including text messages, emails, social media messages, and notes from phone calls if you wrote down what was said.
What Happens After You Report
Managing expectations prevents frustration with the reporting process.
Scamwatch Reports
Scamwatch reports contribute to national data collection and trend analysis but typically don't result in individual follow-up unless your case is part of a large-scale investigation affecting many victims.
ReportCyber Reports
ReportCyber reports are triaged by police based on factors like amount lost, evidence available, and whether the scam is part of a known criminal network. You may be contacted for additional information if your case is investigated, but many reports don't lead to prosecution because scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
IDCARE Support
IDCARE works with you directly to create a recovery plan and provides ongoing support regardless of whether police investigate. This is why contacting IDCARE matters even when criminal justice outcomes are unlikely.
Bank Fraud Reports
Bank fraud reports may lead to transaction reversal if you caught the problem fast enough, though success depends on the payment method and how quickly you reported.
The difficult truth:
Most scam victims do not recover their money. International criminal networks, cryptocurrency payments, and gift card transactions make recovery nearly impossible. But reporting still helps prevent others from falling victim and enables authorities to disrupt scam operations even when they can't prosecute individuals or recover funds. Your report might not help you financially, but it helps protect your fellow Australians.
If You're Not Happy with the Response
Bank Disputes → AFCA
If you're dissatisfied with how your bank handled your scam report, you can escalate to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) . AFCA provides free, independent dispute resolution for financial services complaints. Banks are bound by AFCA decisions, and the service costs you nothing. Contact AFCA at 1800 931 678 or through afca.org.au.
General Help → Australian Cyber Security Hotline
For additional help navigating the reporting process or understanding your options, call the Australian Cyber Security Hotline at 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371). They can direct you to the appropriate channels and provide advice on protecting yourself from further harm.