Scam messages look like they are from the government, businesses you deal with or even your own family or friends to try to catch you out.

They 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.

From 1 July 2026, when you receive a text message from a business or organisation it should be branded with their name in the sender ID.

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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

Getting text messages from businesses and organisations

From 1 July 2026, when you get a text message from a business or organisation, the sender ID should be branded. Branded sender IDs are where words appear instead of a phone number, such as ‘MyGov’ at the top of the message screen. Text messages sent using unregistered sender IDs will show as ‘Unverified’. These messages will be grouped together in a single message thread on your phone.

Treat any messages that are ‘Unverified’ with caution.

To read more about the SMS sender ID register, visit Getting text messages from businesses and organisations on the ACMA website.

Never 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.

Find out more about what to do if you've been scammed

Common Text or SMS scam types

Jobs and employment scams

Jobs and employment scams

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