News & alerts

In May 2023, the government funded the ACCC to set up a new National Anti-Scam Centre. The centre will bring together experts from government and the private sector to tackle harmful scams.

Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat based scams so far this year, and young people are reporting the highest losses.

The ACCC has launched a podcast series for this year’s National Scams Awareness Week to provide Australians with tips on how to protect their personal and financial details from scammers.

Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of the spread of coronavirus to exploit and play on the fears of consumers across Australia.

Scamwatch is warning all Australians to be on the lookout for bushfire fundraising scams and do their research when donating so that money can get to those who are in need, rather than those who would take advantage.

Stay Smart Online Week is an annual event focused on empowering people, businesses and the community to protect themselves online.

Scammers swindled nearly $4.7 million from Australian businesses in 2017 according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting scams report – a 23 per cent increase compared to 2016.

Australians lost more money to scammers in 2017 than in any other year since the ACCC began reporting on scam activity.

If you lost money to a scammer through Western Union from 2004 to 2017, you may be eligible for a refund. Find out how you can make a claim.

This Stay Smart Online Week, the ACCC is warning the community to watch out for common online scams they might encounter.