Scammed in Australia? Call your bank nowthen report at cyber.gov.au or 1300 292 371
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Scammed in Australia? Do this now.

Call your bank first: it may be able to stop the money. Then report it, and get free support if your identity has been stolen.

1 · Straight away
Your bank

Call your bank now

If you have sent money or shared bank details, contact your bank or card provider immediately.

cyber.gov.au: recover from scams · source

2 · Report it
1300 292 371

ReportCyber

Report cybercrime through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. The Australian Cyber Security Hotline (1300 CYBER1) is open 24/7.

cyber.gov.au · source

Warn others
Scamwatch

Report the scam

Report the scam to Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre, so others can be warned.

scamwatch.gov.au · source

Free support
1800 595 160

IDCARE

IDCARE, the national identity and cyber support service, helps free of charge (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST).

idcare.org · source

Print a one-page safety sheet for a bank branch, library, community group or relative.

Scam script

The investment scam

Big payouts, little or no risk, and pressure to act fast.

1

The lure

A fake news story or advert claims a celebrity recommends a way to make big money.

Warning signFake news stories or ads saying a celebrity recommends it.
Break the chainDon't click. Look the company up yourself first.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer and general safety advice

2

The promise

You are promised big payouts with little or no risk, backed by testimonials and over-the-top promises.

Warning signOver-the-top promises of big returns with little or no risk.
Break the chainNo genuine investment is free of risk. Walk away from guarantees.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer and general safety advice

3

The pressure

Scammers use pressure tactics so you act fast and they can take your money before you can check the deal.

Warning signPressure to act fast.
Break the chainTake the time to check. If you have already paid, call your bank at once.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer and general safety advice

Scam script

The remote access scam

A telco, the NBN or Microsoft will not ask to take over your computer.

1

The call

Someone phones pretending to be from a big telecommunications or computer company, such as Telstra, the NBN or Microsoft.

Warning signAn unsolicited call from a 'telco' or 'tech support'.
Break the chainHang up.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer advice (as reported)

2

The problem

They say your computer has error messages or a virus, or that there is a problem with your internet or phone line.

Warning signA claim that your computer has a problem you did not know about.
Break the chainDon't follow their instructions or buy any software or service they offer.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer advice (as reported)

3

The access

They ask you to download screen-sharing software, then use it to steal from you, and may ask for your bank or card details.

Warning signA request for remote access to your computer, or for bank or card details.
Break the chainNever give an unsolicited caller remote access. If you already have, call your bank straight away.

Source: Scamwatch · issuer advice (as reported)

Published figures, 2025

How big the problem is

The National Anti-Scam Centre combines reports made to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, IDCARE and ASIC. Losses are as reported by victims.

about A$2.18 billionreported scam losses (combined sources) (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source · Stated as $2.18 billion, up 7.8% on 2024
481,523scam reports (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source · 494,732 in 2024
274,577scam reports involving a financial loss (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source
A$334.8 millionlosses reported to Scamwatch (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source · Scamwatch only; up 5.0% from A$318.8 million in 2024
200,675scam reports to Scamwatch (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source · Scamwatch only; down 19.6% on 2024
65,361phishing reports to Scamwatch (2025)National Anti-Scam Centre · verified against source · The most reported scam type to Scamwatch

The five scams that cost Australians most (2025)

Investment: A$837.7mA$837.7mInvestmentPayment redirection: A$166.8mA$166.8mPayment redirectionRomance: A$139.9mA$139.9mRomancePhishing: A$97.6mA$97.6mPhishingRemote access: A$69.9mA$69.9mRemote access

Losses in A$ million, as reported. Source: National Anti-Scam Centre.

What is changing

What the latest reports say

Findings as reported from the publications below. Each links to where it was reported.

Scams reaching people through websites, digital and social media platforms were the most successful. Reports rose 28.8% and losses 21.8% in 2025.

Source: National Anti-Scam Centre, as reported

Phone-call scam losses fell 32.4%. Text-message scam reports fell from 77,365 in 2024 to 29,058, though losses from text scams were higher than in 2024.

Source: National Anti-Scam Centre, as reported

Australians aged 65 and over are about 17.1% of the population but accounted for 26.5% of Scamwatch losses.

Source: National Anti-Scam Centre, as reported

The National Anti-Scam Centre sent more than 8,400 websites for assessment, and over 7,500 scam web addresses were removed, at least 30% more than in 2024.

Source: National Anti-Scam Centre, as reported

Latest official warnings

CYFINARA does not copy these feeds; follow the links for the current alerts.

Not in Australia?

The same script works everywhere: an urgent contact, a trusted name, pressure to act alone, and a request to move money.

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