How to Identify Scam Calls in Australia

Protection Guide for Australian Phone Users

Australians lose over $3 billion to scams each year. Learn how to recognise phone scams, protect yourself, and report suspicious callers.

The Growing Threat of Phone Scams in Australia

Phone scams are one of the most common forms of fraud in Australia. According to Scamwatch, Australians reported over 300,000 scam contacts in the past year, with phone calls being the leading delivery method. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, making it crucial to stay informed.

Reverseau's community has collectively reported hundreds of thousands of suspicious numbers. This guide draws on that data and official resources to help you identify and avoid phone scams.

Common Types of Phone Scams

Robocalls and Automated Messages

Robocalls use pre-recorded messages to reach thousands of people simultaneously. Common robocall scams in Australia include fake messages from the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) claiming you owe a tax debt, automated "parcel delivery" notifications from fake courier services, and recordings claiming your internet will be disconnected. If you receive an automated call from an unknown number, hang up immediately. Legitimate organisations rarely use robocalls for important matters.

SMS Phishing (Smishing)

Smishing combines SMS with phishing techniques. Scammers send text messages containing malicious links that mimic banks, government agencies, or delivery services. Common signs include messages with urgent language ("Your account will be locked"), shortened URLs that hide the real destination, and requests to "verify" your identity by clicking a link. Never click links in unexpected text messages. Instead, contact the organisation directly using the official number from their website.

VoIP Spoofing

Voice over IP (VoIP) technology allows scammers to display any phone number on your caller ID. This means a call appearing to come from your bank, the police, or even your own area code could actually originate from anywhere in the world. Spoofed numbers are among the most reported on Reverseau. If a caller claims to be from a trusted organisation but the conversation feels off, hang up and call back using the official number.

Missed Call Scams (Wangiri)

"Wangiri" (Japanese for "one ring and cut") scams involve a brief call designed to make you curious enough to call back. The return number is often a premium-rate international number that charges high fees per minute. Warning signs include calls that ring only once or twice, numbers from unfamiliar international codes, and calls at unusual hours (late night or early morning). Never call back unknown numbers, especially international ones you don't recognise.

Impersonation Scams

Scammers frequently impersonate trusted entities including the ATO, Medicare, banks (NAB, CBA, ANZ, Westpac), NBN Co, Amazon, and law enforcement. They create urgency by threatening arrest, account closure, or financial penalties. Remember: no legitimate organisation will call you demanding immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.

Tech Support Scams

Callers claim to be from Microsoft, Telstra, or your internet provider, warning that your computer has been compromised. They ask for remote access to your device, then install malware or steal personal information. No technology company will ever cold-call you about a virus on your computer.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam Call

Watch out for these warning signs during any phone call:

  • Urgency and pressure – The caller demands immediate action, threatens consequences, or doesn't give you time to think.
  • Requests for payment – Especially via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or unusual methods. Legitimate businesses accept standard payment methods.
  • Requests for personal information – PINs, passwords, Medicare numbers, tax file numbers, or bank account details should never be shared over the phone.
  • Too good to be true – You've "won" a prize, received an inheritance, or qualify for a special grant you never applied for.
  • Caller ID doesn't match claims – A caller claiming to be from a Sydney office but displaying a mobile number, or an "Australian" organisation calling from an international number.
  • Background noise or delays – Call centres overseas often have distinctive background noise or slight delays that indicate VoIP routing.
  • Refusal to provide details – The caller won't give their full name, employee ID, or a callback number.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

  1. Don't panic – Scammers rely on emotional reactions. Take a breath and think critically.
  2. Don't share information – Never provide personal, financial, or account details.
  3. Hang up – You can always hang up. It's not rude; it's safe.
  4. Verify independently – If the caller claims to be from a known organisation, hang up and call the official number (found on their website or your card/statement).
  5. Look up the number – Use Reverseau's reverse phone lookup to check if others have reported the number.
  6. Block the number – Use your phone's built-in blocking feature to prevent future calls.
  7. Report it – File a report on Reverseau and with Scamwatch to help protect others.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

If you think you've fallen victim to a phone scam, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial details or made a payment. They may be able to stop or reverse the transaction.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may be compromised.
  • Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
  • Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if your identity may have been stolen.
  • Report to police via ReportCyber if you've lost money.
  • Monitor your accounts closely for any unusual activity in the weeks following.

Protecting Yourself: Proactive Steps

  • Register with the Do Not Call Register – While it won't stop all scam calls, it reduces legitimate telemarketing. Register at donotcall.gov.au.
  • Enable call filtering – Most Australian carriers offer free scam call filtering (e.g., Telstra Call Guardian, Optus Call Protect).
  • Keep your number private – Be cautious about where you share your phone number online.
  • Use Reverseau regularly – Check trending numbers and recently reported numbers to stay aware of active scams.
  • Talk to family – Older Australians are disproportionately targeted. Help your family members recognise scam tactics.

Useful Resources

Explore Insights

Dive deeper into our community data to understand phone scam and spam trends across Australia: