--- title: Phone Scams description: Learn to spot and stop phone scams in Australia with tips on blocking calls, protecting personal info, and reporting fraud. image: https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/ACMA%20phone%20scam%20infographic_Instagram_06.png --- [![header-logo-img](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/logo_header.png)](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/) - [Home](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/) - Solutions ENTERPRISE SERVICES [Integrated Managed Mobility & EndPoint Services](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/integrated-managed-mobility-and-endpoint-services) [Telecom Expense Management & Optimisation](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/telecom-expense-management-and-optimisation) [Device Lifecycle Management](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/device-lifecycle-management) [Procurement & Support](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/procurement-and-support) [Device Security & Application](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/device-security-and-application) [Site, Branch & Site Connectivity](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/enterprise-services/site-branch-and-site-connectivity) ENTERPRISE OUTCOMES [Reduce Costs](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/solutions/reduce-costs) [Track Assets & Centralized Management](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/solutions/track-assets-and-centralized-management) [Security](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/solutions/security) - [About Us](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/contact-us) - [Blog](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au) - [Trust Centre](https://www.voiceplus.com.au/trust-centre) # Phone Scams ![underline-img](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/underline.png?width=212&height=3&name=underline.png) 10 May 2021 [![Share on linkedin](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on facebook](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) **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/). ## Latest from the Blog [![blog-featured](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus%20One%20Platform.png?width=226&height=226&name=VoicePlus%20One%20Platform.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/one-platform-every-endpoint-atrium-intune-laptop-management) [VoicePlus Atrium — one platform managing mobiles, laptops, lifecycle, and Intune security under one roof ![arrow](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/arrownext.png?width=27&height=12&name=arrownext.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/one-platform-every-endpoint-atrium-intune-laptop-management) [![blog-featured](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus%20Enterprise%20Governance1.png?width=226&height=226&name=VoicePlus%20Enterprise%20Governance1.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/enterprise-mobility-governance-what-it-looks-like) [What Enterprise-Grade Mobility Governance Actually Looks Like ![arrow](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/arrownext.png?width=27&height=12&name=arrownext.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/enterprise-mobility-governance-what-it-looks-like) [![blog-featured](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus%20ISO27001%20trust.png?width=226&height=226&name=VoicePlus%20ISO27001%20trust.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/beyond-the-badge-why-voiceplus-chose-the-hard-road-to-iso/iec-270012022) [VoicePlus Achieves ISO/IEC 27001:2022: Why We Chose the Hard Road to Build Real Trust ![arrow](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/arrownext.png?width=27&height=12&name=arrownext.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/beyond-the-badge-why-voiceplus-chose-the-hard-road-to-iso/iec-270012022) [![blog-featured](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus%20000%20BYOD%20Old%20Phones.png?width=226&height=226&name=VoicePlus%20000%20BYOD%20Old%20Phones.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/why-employers-must-act-on-emergency-calling-risks-triple-zero) [Why Employers Must Act on Emergency-Calling Risks | Triple Zero ![arrow](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/arrownext.png?width=27&height=12&name=arrownext.png)](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/why-employers-must-act-on-emergency-calling-risks-triple-zero) 3 Strategies to Reduce Telecom Cost [Here's How](https://landing.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/3-strategies-to-reduce-telecom-cost) ![footer-logoimg](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/VoicePlus_2023_blog_assets/footerlogo.png) VoicePlus is your independent managed mobility and endpoint specialist. 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All Rights Reserved ![](https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Custom/page/VoicePlus_blog_2023_theme/icons8-settings-32.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Michael Giffney", "url" : "https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/author/michael-giffney" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-09T05:34:44.590Z", "datePublished" : "2021-05-10T12:41:04.000Z", "headline" : "Phone Scams", "image" : [ "https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/ACMA%20phone%20scam%20infographic_Instagram_06.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/en-au/phone-scams", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.voiceplus.com.au/hubfs/voiceplus_logo.png" }, "name" : "VoicePlus" } } ```