Text or SMS was the most reported contact method for scams last year. Scam messages sound urgent to get you to act quickly. They often have a link which will take you to a scam website. Scammers can steal any personal information entered on these scam websites and use it to take your money or commit fraud in your name.

To make these message look real, scammers spoof (copy) the phone number and sender ID of businesses or people you know. Scam messages can even appear in the same message chain as real messages from the organisation, making them even harder to spot.

Warning signs it might be a scam

Stop and think. There's a good chance it's a scam if the message asks you to:

  • take immediate action 
  • make a payment or transfer money
  • click on a link or call a number provided in the message
  • log on to an online account with your username and password or to provide other personal information

To rush you into acting, the text might also claim something urgent like:

  • you or your accounts have been hacked or involved in fraud
  • there's problem with your payment or your package delivery 
  • threatening to stop a service or charge a fine if you don't act now.

Steps you can take to protect yourself

Never to click on links in messages

Search for the website yourself or use the organisations secure, authenticated app or portal to see if it is real.

Always do an independent check that the person is who they say they are

  • Don’t respond to a text message using the phone number provided.
  • Call the organisation or person back on a phone number you have found yourself (on their website or in the phone book) to check if the message was real.

  • Be suspicious of any job offer by text, especially without an interview or discussion.  Research the person offering the position and only contact them using a phone number you've found yourself.

  • If someone you know messages you saying they have a new number:
    • try to call them on the existing number you have for them if someone says they have a new number
    • message them on the new number with a question only they would know the answer to check they are who they say they are.

Think you've been scammed?

  1. Act fast to stop any further losses

    Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam. Ask them to stop any transactions.

    Change passwords on all your devices and online accounts like banking, email, government and shopping.

  2. Get help to recover

    IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. They can help you make a plan (for free) to limit the damage. Call them on 1800 595 160 or visit their website to find out more.

  3. Report the scam

    Once you have secured your details, you can help us try to stop the scam or to warn others by reporting the scam to us.

Common Text or SMS scam types

Impersonation scams

Impersonation scams

Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves using someone else's identity to steal money or gain other benefits.
Jobs and employment scams

Jobs and employment scams

Jobs and employment scams trick you into handing over your money by offering you a ‘guaranteed’ way to make fast money or a high-paying job for little effort.

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