---
title: Phone Scams
description: Learn to spot and stop phone scams in Australia with tips on blocking calls, protecting personal info, and reporting fraud.
---

[VoicePlus Blog](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au)

# [Phone Scams](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams)

 Written by [Michael Giffney](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/author/michael-giffney) | 10/05/2021 12:41:04 PM

**Phone scams**

Scams target everyone. Scammers use stealth, surprise and clever tactics to get what they want, which may be your money or your personal details. No-one is too smart to be scammed.

But, there are things you can do to help spot—and stop—a phone scam.

Report scams to [Scamwatch](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam)

If you think you’ve been scammed, tell your bank and phone company immediately.

**On this page**

- [How to spot a scam](https://www.acma.gov.au/phone-scams#how-to-spot-a-scam)
- [How to protect yourself from phone scams](https://www.acma.gov.au/phone-scams#how-to-protect-yourself-from-phone-scams)
- [Phone scam educational resources](https://www.cyber.gov.au/about-us/advisories/protect-yourself-remote-access-scams)
- [More information and where to get help](https://www.acma.gov.au/phone-scams#more-information-and-where-to-get-help)

**How to spot a scam**

Always be wary about any calls or texts that come from people you don’t know.

**Scam tactics**

Scammers are very sophisticated, which can make a scam difficult to spot.

Scammers may:

- pretend to be from an organisation you trust and ask for your personal details in a call or a text
- say that you have won a prize or there’s money waiting for you
- use logos and copy real text messages to look legitimate
- disguise their number/s, to make it look like they’re calling from somewhere local
- call over and over, making it hard to ignore
- use ‘robocalls’ or recorded messages saying your internet will be disconnected and ask for payment or personal data
- lie and tell you stories, like your computer needs urgent attention
- act like it’s an emergency and tell you something bad will happen if you don’t click a link or call a number to check your details.

**It’s probably a scam if:**

- a call or text sounds too good to be true
- someone you don’t know has your personal details
- your bank (or another institution that you trust) calls or texts you to ask for personal information or money
- you’re threatened or made to feel afraid
- someone asks to access your computer.

**How to protect yourself from phone scams**

Remember the rule: **If in doubt, don’t**.

**Don’t** answer, **don’t** click on links, **don’t** give personal details, and **don’t **give money.

- Don’t answer if you don’t know who it is. Let the call go to voicemail first. If the caller leaves a number, check that it matches the one on their website.
- Don’t reply or click on any links in text messages.
- Don’t ever send money.
- Don’t ever tell anyone your personal details—passwords or other sensitive information.
- Don’t ever let someone take control of your computer.

You should:

- Block callers—your phone company can tell you how.
- Use a password on your mobile.
- Check text messages carefully. Look for things that don’t look right—bad spelling, strange sender name or number.
- Put a lock on your home mailbox—this way, people can’t steal items that may give information about your identity.
- Check if an unknown number is from an official source by checking online. Typing the number into a search engine like Google might come up with details about the owner of the phone number.
- Carefully choose who you share personal details with online and update privacy settings on social media.

**Phone scam educational resources**

Use our [phone scam educational resources](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/2876) to raise awareness about phone scams and how to combat them.

The resources include:

- posters in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Italian, and for First Nations Australians
- social media graphics and animations.

**More information and where to get help**

**Scamwatch:**

- [Report a scam](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam)
- [Where to get help](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/where-to-get-help)
- [Protect yourself from scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/protect-yourself-from-scams)

**Australian Cyber Security Centre:**

- [Report a cybercrime](https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report)
- [Protecting yourself from remote access scams](https://www.cyber.gov.au/about-us/advisories/protect-yourself-remote-access-scams)

**IDCARE:**

- Contact [IDCARE](http://www.idcare.org/) if you’ve had personal details stolen. You can also call 1800 595 160

**ACMA:**

- [FAQS from the Do Not Call Register](https://www.donotcall.gov.au/consumers/faqs-for-consumers/)
- [What to do if your phone number is stolen](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/1386)
- [Stop getting spam](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/71)
- [Protect yourself from unwanted telemarketing](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/1565)
- [Information about calling line identification and spoofing](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/3039)
- [Sign-up for our phone scam e-bulletin](https://www.acma.gov.au/node/296)

**Phone companies:**

- [Optus](https://www.optus.com.au/for-you/support/answer?id=1427)
- [Telstra](https://www.telstra.com.au/cyber-security-and-safety/scams/scam-phone-calls)
- [Vodafone](https://www.vodafone.com.au/support/notify/scams)

If a company uses your private information and you did not agree, you can [complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner](https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/).

[View full post](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams)

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