Finding out you may have been scammed can feel frightening. But acting quickly is the most important thing you can do, and there is clear, practical help available. You are not alone, and reporting what happened can protect other people too.

Summary

If you think you have been scammed in Australia, act immediately. Contact your bank if money or financial details were involved, report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au or on 1800 008 540, and change any passwords that may have been compromised. The sooner you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage.

Step one: Stop all contact with the scammer

The first thing to do is cut off contact completely. Do not reply to any messages, do not call back any numbers the scammer gave you, and do not send any more money even if you are told it will help recover what you have already lost.

Scammers sometimes follow up with victims, posing as police, recovery agents or government officials offering to help. This is known as a recovery scam, and it is designed to take even more money from people who are already vulnerable.

If someone contacts you claiming they can recover your lost funds for a fee, do not engage with them.

Step two: Contact your bank straight away

If you shared your bank account details, credit card number or made a payment to a scammer, call your bank immediately. Most Australian banks have dedicated fraud teams available around the clock.

Tell them exactly what happened and when. They may be able to:

  • Stop or reverse a recent transaction
  • Block your card and issue a new one
  • Place a temporary hold on your account to prevent further losses
  • Connect you with specialist fraud support

Time matters here. The sooner your bank knows, the more options they have.

Step three: Report the scam to Scamwatch

Reporting a scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au or by calling 1800 008 540 helps the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) track scam activity and warn other Australians.

You do not need to have lost money to make a report. Even if you recognised a scam and did not fall for it, reporting it is worthwhile. Your report could stop someone else from being targeted.

When you report, try to include:

  • How the scammer made contact (phone, email, text, social media)
  • What they said or asked for
  • Whether any money or personal information was shared
  • Any phone numbers, email addresses, or website links involved

Step four: Protect your identity

If you shared personal information such as your Medicare number, tax file number, driver’s licence or passport details, take steps to protect your identity as soon as possible.

Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160. IDCARE is Australia’s national identity and cyber support service, and it offers free help to people whose personal information may have been compromised.

You should also:

  • Change passwords on any accounts that may be affected, starting with your email and banking
  • Contact Services Australia if your Medicare or Centrelink details were involved
  • Consider placing a credit ban on your file through a credit reporting agency to stop anyone opening accounts in your name

Step five: Look after yourself

Being scammed can be an upsetting experience, even if you did not lose money. Feelings of shame, anger, embarrassment or self-blame are all very common. These reactions are completely understandable.

Talk to someone you trust, whether that is a family member, a friend or your GP. You do not have to go through it alone.

The Women’s Chat Group at Holdsworth is one example of a community space where people share experiences like this and support each other. Conversations like those remind us that scammers are the ones to blame, not the people they deceive.

How government-funded home care can help

If you receive support at home through the Support at Home program or the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), let your care partner know what has happened. They can help you contact the right agencies, support you through the process and flag any follow-up steps you may need to take.

Support workers can also help you build safer online habits going forward. For broader guidance on staying safe in the digital world, Staying connected and safe in the digital age is a helpful starting point.

 

When to get help

If you are feeling overwhelmed, do not hesitate to reach out. There are several organisations that can help:

  • Scamwatch — scamwatch.gov.au or 1800 008 540
  • IDCARE — idcare.org or 1800 595 160
  • Your bank’s fraud team — the number is on the back of your card or on your bank’s official website
  • Services Australia — servicesaustralia.gov.au if government-related details were shared
  • Beyond Blue — beyondblue.org.au or 1300 22 4636 if you are struggling emotionally

You can also speak with your GP if you are finding the experience difficult to manage.

Scammers are sophisticated and deliberate, and they target people of all ages and backgrounds. What matters most is taking action quickly, reporting what happened, and getting the right support around you. Knowing the steps to follow means you are already better prepared than most.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Should I report a scam even if I didn’t lose any money?

Yes. Reporting a scam to Scamwatch even when no money was lost helps authorities identify patterns and warn other people. Every report counts.

Q: Can I get my money back after being scammed?

This depends on how the payment was made and how quickly you contact your bank. Bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments are the hardest to recover. Acting immediately gives you the best chance. Your bank can advise on what options are available in your situation.

Q: What if I gave a scammer my Medicare number or tax file number?

Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 straight away. You can also contact Services Australia to report that your Medicare details may have been compromised. They can advise on next steps, including whether a new Medicare number is needed.

Q: How do I know if someone contacting me about my scam report is genuine?

Be cautious of anyone who contacts you after a scam offering to recover your money for a fee. This is almost always another scam. Legitimate agencies such as Scamwatch and the police will never ask you to pay to recover lost funds.

To find out what support is available in your area, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. You can also call Holdsworth on 1300 882 962.