Scammed by a Phone Call in Australia? What to Do Right Now

If you’ve just realised a call was a scam, act quickly but don’t panic — fast action can limit the damage and, sometimes, recover money. Work through these steps in order. You are not the first this has happened to, and reporting it helps protect others.

In the first 30 minutes

  1. Call your bank now if you shared banking details or sent money. Ask them to stop or recall the transfer and freeze the affected card or account. The sooner you call, the better the chance of recovery.
  2. Change passwords for any account you revealed details for — starting with email and banking — and turn on two-factor authentication.
  3. Stop all contact with the caller. Don’t make any "verification" payment they ask for to "release" funds; that’s a second scam.

If you shared bank or card details, or made a payment

  • Contact your bank’s fraud line immediately (the number on the back of your card). All major Australian banks have signed the Scam-Safe Accord and have dedicated scam teams.
  • If you paid by card, ask about a chargeback. If you transferred by PayID/Osko, ask the bank to attempt a recall.
  • If you paid in gift cards, keep the cards and receipts and report it — sometimes funds can still be frozen.
  • If you paid in cryptocurrency, report it to your exchange and to ReportCyber; recovery is hard but the report still matters.

If you shared identity or myGov details

If you gave away your tax file number, Medicare, licence, passport or myGov login, your identity may be at risk. IDCARE is Australia’s free, government-funded identity and cyber support service — they build you a tailored response plan.

  • Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 or at idcare.org.
  • Replace compromised documents (licence, Medicare, passport) through the issuing agency.
  • Consider a credit ban with the credit-reporting bodies to stop fraudulent applications in your name.

Report it — who does what

  • Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) — the National Anti-Scam Centre uses reports to disrupt scams and warn the public. This is the main place to report.
  • Your bank — for any financial loss or exposed banking details.
  • ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) — for cybercrime where you’ve lost money or data; this routes to police.
  • IDCARE — for identity recovery if personal documents were exposed.
  • The ACMA — if the contact was unlawful marketing rather than a scam.
  • EndSpam — report the number so the next person who searches it is warned.

Recovering money — realistic expectations

Money moved fast is sometimes recoverable if you call your bank quickly, especially card payments and transfers that haven’t cleared. Cryptocurrency and overseas transfers are much harder. Be very wary of "recovery services" that contact you offering to get your money back for a fee — these prey on victims and are themselves a scam.

Protect yourself going forward

Once the immediate response is done, reduce the chance of a repeat: block and silence unwanted callers, learn how to identify a scam call, and keep an eye on the latest reported scam numbers.

Frequently asked questions

I’ve been scammed — what’s the very first thing to do?
Call your bank immediately if you shared banking details or sent money, and ask them to stop or recall the payment and freeze the account. Fast action gives the best chance of recovery.
Where do I report a phone scam in Australia?
Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au (the National Anti-Scam Centre), to your bank for any financial loss, to ReportCyber for cybercrime, and to IDCARE if your identity details were exposed. Reporting the number on EndSpam also warns others.
Can I get my money back?
Sometimes — especially card payments and transfers you report quickly before they clear. Cryptocurrency and overseas payments are much harder to recover. Avoid any "recovery service" that asks for an upfront fee; that is a follow-up scam.

Last updated 2026-06-27. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.