This Scams Awareness Week (26 to 30 August) the National Anti-Scam Centre is encouraging Australians to speak up, share their experiences with others and to report scams to Scamwatch.

“We all have a part to play in shutting down criminal scammers. By talking to each other, we can make sure no one is alone in the fight against scams. We are not powerless, and people who’ve had money stolen should not feel shame when they’ve been targeted by sophisticated criminals,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

People often feel ashamed about being scammed and can’t bring themselves tell their friends or family. Around 30% of people don’t report the most serious scams.

Share your story

We’re asking people to share their scam stories with friends, colleagues and loved ones to show that, given the right circumstances, anyone can become a victim of a scam. Scammers create and take advantage of different situations, such as when people are distracted, busy, fearful, anxious, or stressed. Use the hashtag #ShareAScamStory if you’re sharing on social media.

Report a scam

Your reports help the National Anti-Scam Centre to identify the scams that are causing the most harm to Australians. We use scam reports to understand how scammers work, who they harm and who we need to work with to disrupt and stop them.

We also also share scam reports with Australian and international law enforcement and regulators to help them investigate and prosecute scammers.

From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Scamwatch received a total of 143,106 reports. Of these total reports, 92.9% of people who reported to Scamwatch didn’t suffer a financial loss at all and still provided vital information to support scam disruption activities and scam warnings.

Report a scam on Scamwatch.

Steps to take if you've been scammed

  • If a scammer has stolen your money or personal details, contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam. Ask them to stop any transactions.
  • IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. They can help make a plan (for free) to limit the damage caused by identify theft. Call them on 1800 595 160 or visit idcare.org to find out more.
  • If a scam is causing problems with debt, talk to a financial counsellor. Moneysmart provides a list of free and confidential services to help you get your finances back on track.
  • If you need someone to talk to, reach out to family and friends or you can contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).

Defend yourself against scams

STOP - Don’t give money or personal details or click on any links if you’re unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.

CHECK - Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust – like myGov, your bank, the police or government. If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check.

REPORT - The more we talk, the less power they have. Report scams to us when you see them.