How to report a scam in Australia
- Call your bank first to try to stop or trace the payment.
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au (run by the National Anti-Scam Centre).
- Device or account hacked? Also use ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. For identity theft, contact IDCARE.
Where to report
Can you get your money back?
Australia does not yet have the UK's automatic reimbursement rules, so recovery depends on your bank and how you paid. Speed still matters most.
Bank transfer: call your bank immediately - they may be able to trace or recall a recent payment. Card: ask your bank for a chargeback. Cryptocurrency: usually irreversible; report quickly to the exchange and ReportCyber. If your bank does not resolve a complaint fairly, you can escalate free of charge to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Steps by payment method are in what to do if you've been scammed.
What happens after you report
Scamwatch uses your report to track trends, warn the public, and support disruption efforts - it does not investigate individual cases or recover funds. ReportCyber reports can be routed to the relevant state or territory police. So treat reporting and recovery as separate tracks, and pursue your bank without waiting for an agency response.
The scale in Australia
Reported losses fell in 2024, but scams remain a major threat. After a loss, be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for a fee - that is the money recovery scam, a second fraud aimed at victims.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I report a scam in Australia?
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre. If a device or online account was compromised, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. For identity theft, contact IDCARE. And call your bank straight away to try to stop the payment.
- Will my bank refund a scam in Australia?
- It depends. Australia does not yet have the UK's automatic reimbursement rules, so outcomes vary by bank and situation. Report to your bank immediately, as card payments and some transfers can be disputed or recalled. If your bank does not resolve it fairly, you can escalate free of charge to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
- What is ReportCyber?
- ReportCyber, at cyber.gov.au, is the Australian government's portal for reporting cybercrime such as hacking, online fraud, and compromised accounts. It complements Scamwatch, which focuses on scam intelligence. Use ReportCyber when a device or account was breached.
- National Anti-Scam Centre (ACCC), "Targeting scams: report on scams data and activity 2024," March 2025. A$2.03bn reported lost in 2024 and the 25.9% fall versus 2023.
We compile official reporting routes from government agencies and law enforcement. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Read about how we research or who we are.