Do you think you have been scammed? Know you are not alone, hundreds of thousands of Australians are scammed out of their money or personal information every year and you can recover from this. There is support available, if and when you need it. These steps will help you take action to limit the damage.
Immediate actions
Stop and disconnect: If you’re unsure whether a situation is a scam, stop any money transfers or other transactions immediately. Scammers often persist until you cut off contact, so breaking off communication can limit potential losses. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Notify your financial institution: If you think you’ve been scammed or lost money, contact your bank or financial institution promptly to alert them and prevent further loss. Australian Mutual Bank members can contact our Fraud Team by calling 13 61 91 or by emailing info@australianmutual.bank.
If you've paid a scammer by any of these specific methods, here's what to do:
- Credit or debit card – Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam. Ask them to stop any transactions.
- Gift card – Report it to the company who issued the card.
- Wire transfer – Report it to the wire transfer company or bank that you used.
- Money transfer app – Report it to the app provider (the seller or developer, not the app store).
- Crypto – Report it to the platform or company you used to send the money.
- Cash – If you sent by mail or delivery service, contact Australia Post or the delivery service used to see if they can intercept the package.
- Unauthorised transfer – If a scammer has transferred money without your approval, report it to your bank straight away. Ask them to freeze your accounts and transactions.
Reporting and informing others
Report the scam: Inform Scamwatch about the incident by filling out the Report a scam form on their website. Reporting helps protect others and informs authorities about active scams.
You can make an official report to the police online.
You should also report the scam account to the social media or other platform they used to engage with you.
Alert others: By sharing your story with family and friends, you can warn them about how the scam works and what to look out for.
Securing personal information
Seek assistance from IDCARE: Seek support from IDCARE (a free government-funded service) who can help you develop a response plan to limit the damage. IDCARE will never contact you out of the blue. Call them on 1800 595 160 or visit their website to find out more.
Update your passwords: Change your passwords, especially if you think your accounts may have been compromised. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts to reduce risk. Learn more from our Strong password education resources.
Secure your devices: If you suspect that your computer or device is hacked or infected. Uninstall any programs you have just installed, update your security software and run a full antivirus scan to detect any issues. Delete anything identified as a problem.
If they accessed your phone or phone account, report it to your phone provider. Update your security software and run a scan for viruses. Change your passwords or pins, block scam calls and consider changing your phone number.
If you still need help, phone the Australian Cyber Security Hotline on 1300 292 371 (open 24 hours, 7 days a week) for expert cyber security advice.
Identity recovery
Recover stolen identity: If you suspect identity theft, act swiftly to minimise the potential impact. IDCARE can guide you on the steps to take if your identity credentials have been accessed or misused.
Place a ban on your consumer credit report: Under the consumer credit laws, if you’ve been or are likely to be the victim of fraud (including identity fraud), and a credit reporting body holds credit reporting information about you, you can request that a credit reporting body place a ban on your consumer credit report to prevent them from being able to use or disclose the information as part of a credit check. Requesting a ban period, or an extension of a ban period, is free.
Further advice and information
Be alert to follow-up scams: Be cautious of scams that promise to help you recover lost funds. Scamwatch notes that one in three scam victims may be targeted multiple times.
Visit security advice pages: For more guidance on protecting yourself against scams, visit our Security Advice section or see Scamwatch’s resources to stay informed.
Report myGov-related scams: To report a scam related to myGov or Services Australia, including Centrelink, Medicare, ATO or Child Support, visit the Services Australia website and seek specific advice from the relevant service.
Support resources and ongoing help
Access Support Services: If you or someone you know has been impacted and may need ongoing help, there are support services available. These avenues of support are available to help, listen and believe. If you need someone to talk to, reach out to family and friends or contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue to speak to someone online or over the phone, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 or online chat
Lifeline - 13 11 14 or online crisis support chat
Financial hardship: Unexpected things happen in life that can put a strain on your ability to meet your financial commitments.
If you find yourself in this position, and are unable to meet your loan or credit payment obligations, you should contact us on 13 61 91 (from Monday to Friday between 8am - 7pm Sydney time, and Saturday 8.30am - 11.30am, Sydney time.) and ask to speak with one of our Hardship Assistance trained staff. They will be able to discuss what options are available to you.
Financial Wellness is an important aspect of our general sense of well-being. It is achieved when we are able to cover our expenses with no worry, can absorb financial shock without much stress, and are on track to meet our financial goals. The only way to achieve financial health is through financial literacy.
Check out our Financial Wellness page for tips and guidance on how you can improve your financial situation or contact our friendly team for more information.
Sources:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/help-if-scam-or-identity-theft-has-affected-you
https://moneysmart.gov.au/check-and-report-scams/what-to-do-if-you-ve-been-scammed
https://www.cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover/recover-from/scams
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/scams
