Scams
How common scams work and the warning signs that official Australian sources describe. These guides explain; for advice about your situation, use the official services linked on every page.
Start here
- Impersonation scams: when scammers pose as trusted organisationsImpersonation scams explained: how scammers pose as banks, government, police or telcos, the warning signs, and how to check if a contact is real.
- Investment scams: fake platforms, fake ads and long consInvestment scams explained: fake trading platforms, crypto schemes and celebrity ads, the warning signs, and how to check a business on ASIC's registers.
- Online shopping scams: fake stores, fake ads and goods that never arriveOnline shopping scams: how fake stores and ads work, the warning signs, and how to check a website's address, ABN and domain details before you buy.
Scam types
- Impersonation scams: when scammers pose as trusted organisationsImpersonation scams explained: how scammers pose as banks, government, police or telcos, the warning signs, and how to check if a contact is real.
- Money recovery scams: offers to get your lost money backMoney recovery scams target people who've lost money, posing as recovery firms, lawyers or government. Warning signs and what Scamwatch and ASIC say.
- Remote access scams: fake tech support and 'helpful' callersRemote access scams: fake tech, bank or telco support that takes control of your device, the warning signs, and what IDCARE and Scamwatch say to do.
- Threat and extortion scams: fake debts, fines and arrest threatsThreat scams: fake tax debts, fines, arrest or deportation threats and data-release threats, the warning signs, and how to check if a debt is real.
Money and investment scams
- Investment scams: fake platforms, fake ads and long consInvestment scams explained: fake trading platforms, crypto schemes and celebrity ads, the warning signs, and how to check a business on ASIC's registers.
- Romance scams: when an online connection turns into a request for moneyRomance scams: fake dating profiles, chats moved off the app, and requests for money or crypto investments, with warning signs and how to check a match.
Spotting scams
Job and employment scams
Shopping and marketplace scams
- Marketplace scams: risks when buying and selling through online classifiedsMarketplace scams: fake payment emails, overpayment, fake couriers and escrow, and deposits for items that don't exist, with checks for both sides.
- Online shopping scams: fake stores, fake ads and goods that never arriveOnline shopping scams: how fake stores and ads work, the warning signs, and how to check a website's address, ABN and domain details before you buy.
Scams: questions people ask
How do I know if something is a scam?
Scamwatch describes common signs: pressure to act fast, requests for money, codes or personal details, and contact you didn't expect. Our checklist walks through the checks before you reply or pay. Is this a scam?
What should I do if I've been scammed?
Scamwatch's first step is to contact your bank or card provider straight away if money or card details are involved, then report the scam. First steps after a scam
Can a scammer pretend to be my bank or the government?
Yes. Scamwatch says scammers often impersonate banks, government agencies, police and telcos. Our guide explains how to check whether a contact is real. Impersonation scams