What to do if you've been scammed
Steps to deal with the fallout of a
scam
Think you have been scammed? It can be a confusing time, but
it's important to act fast to help stop the scammers, and get help
if you need it. Here are the steps to take if you suspect a
scam.
Act fast if you think you've
been scammed
Here are some things you should do straight away if you think a
scammer has targeted you:
- Delete and block all contact from the scammer.
- Call your bank (or the business the scam is pretending to
represent) to report the scam.
- Check your bank account for any suspicious transactions. See unauthorised and
mistaken transactions for more information.
- Ask the bank or company to freeze your accounts if the scammer
has accessed any money.
- Scan your computer for viruses.
- File a police report if the scammer has accessed any
money.
- Get a free copy of your credit report. This will allow you to
see who has recently checked your credit history, and whether
anyone is using your name to run up debts.
- Warn your family and friends about the scam.
- Report the scam to the relevant agency to help stop the
scammer.
Where to report the scam
Different agencies deal with different scams. Here's a list of
who deals with what.
| Type of scam |
Who to report the scam to |
|
Financial and investment scams
- including those involving superannuation, managed
funds, financial advice, financial products, insurance
|
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Report misconduct to ASIC
|
| Banking and credit card scams |
Your bank or financial institution
Your local police |
|
Tax scams
- or identity theft involving tax file numbers
|
Australian Taxation Office
ATO: Verify or report a scam
or phone 1800 060 062
|
|
Scams from overseas or interstate
- including false billing or chain letter scams
|
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
ACCC: Report a scam
|
| Scams from your state or territory |
Your state's fair trading or consumer affairs
office |
| Spam emails |
Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission
SCAMwatch: Report a scam
Spam emails that request your personal or banking information
should also be reported to your bank (only use contact details that
do not appear in the email).
|
| Fraud, theft and other crimes |
Your local police station or the Australian
Federal Police |
| Not sure what type of scam it is? |
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
SCAMwatch: Report a scam
|
| Cybercrime |
Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network ACORN.gov.au
|
Recovering your
losses
If you have sent money or information to a scammer, contact your
bank immediately. They may be able to stop a money transfer or
close your account if the scammer has your account details.
Unfortunately, most victims don't get their money back. This is
because it's often very difficult to track down the person or group
that has scammed you. If you have sent money to an overseas
company, Australian government agencies cannot help you get your
money back as those companies are out of their jurisdiction.
But it is still important that you report scams to help stop
them spreading.
Avoid follow-up scams
If you've been caught up in a scam, you may be the target
of a follow-up scam. Hang up or block emails or text messages from
a scammer if they try the following tricks:
- Offering to swap your investment for another one to recover
your losses
- Telling you to 'hang in there' as your investment will increase
in value soon
- Offering to buy your shares at a premium but asking you to pay
a fee to have 'restrictions' on the shares lifted
- Asking you to pay a fee for a fake share certificate
- Claiming they can recover your losses for a fee they say is a
tax, deposit or refundable insurance bond
- Asking you to pay for travel and accommodation costs to find
the scammer who has taken your money.
Support after being
scammed
Being scammed can have a devastating effect on your life and can
change your relationships with your family and friends. Here is a
list of counselling services and financial support providers that
can help you at this difficult time.
Counselling services
- Lifeline - for emotional support call
Lifeline's crisis support service on 13 11 14 or their crisis support chat service or go straight to
Lifeline.
- beyondblue - for help with depression or
anxiety go to beyondblue.
Financial support
Being scammed can be devastating, but help
is out there. Reporting the scam will help take one step towards
stopping the scammers.
Related links
Last updated: 03 Dec 2019
