How to report a scam call or text in Australia

Reporting a scam takes a few minutes and does three things: it warns other people, it helps authorities and telcos shut numbers down, and - if you've lost money - it starts the recovery process. Here's who to tell.

If you've lost money or shared details: do this first

1. Call your bank or card provider immediately (the number on the back of your card). They may be able to stop or reverse a payment - the sooner, the better.
2. Change passwords for any account you logged in to from a scam link, and turn on two-step verification.
3. Call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 (idcare.org) - Australia's free identity and cyber support service - if you shared ID documents, your Medicare or tax file number, or let someone access your computer.

Report it to Scamwatch

Scamwatch is run by the National Anti-Scam Centre (part of the ACCC). Reports are used to warn the public, disrupt scams and share intelligence with banks, telcos and police. You can report even if you didn't lose anything.

Report cybercrime to ReportCyber

If the scam involved hacking, online fraud or identity theft, report it to the Australian Signals Directorate's ReportCyber, which passes reports to police.

Tell your phone provider

• Scam texts: Telstra customers can forward scam texts to 7226 (free). Other providers have their own reporting numbers or forms - check your provider's scam page.
• Scam calls: most providers take reports through their website or app, and must help you with ongoing nuisance calls.
• Australian telcos are required to identify, trace and block scam calls and texts under an industry code - your reports feed that.

If the scammer pretended to be someone

• The ATO: report impersonation to the ATO (ato.gov.au/scams) - see ATO and myGov scams.
• Services Australia / myGov / Medicare: report through Services Australia's scam pages.
• Your bank: forward scam emails or texts to your bank's reporting address or number.
• Australia Post, Linkt and other brands have scam reporting pages too.

Report it on BadCall - so the next person doesn't answer

Official reports take time to turn into warnings. A BadCall report shows on that number's page immediately, and everyone who looks the number up sees it - usually within minutes of the next call.

Report a number now

What to include

• The number (or sender name) and the date and time.
• Who they said they were, and what they wanted.
• For texts, the message itself - BadCall makes links unclickable automatically.
• Whether you lost money or gave out information (for official reports).