Scam protection guides

Whether you're trying to work out if a text is fake, you've already tapped a dodgy link, or you want to report a scam, these plain-English guides walk you through it calmly, step by step. Built for Australians. Got a message right now? Check it now.

• How to tell if a text is a scamThe seven red flags that give a fake away, how to read a link without tapping it, and how to verify a sender safely.
• What to do if you clicked a scam linkA calm, step-by-step plan for the first five minutes — and exactly what to do if you entered a password or card details.
• How to report a scam textWhere and how to report scam texts in Australia, who to contact, and how reporting helps get scam numbers shut down.

How to use these guides

Start with how to tell if a text is a scam — the red flags it teaches (urgency, odd links, requests for payment or codes) apply to almost every scam in circulation, whichever name it hides behind. If the worst has already happened and you tapped a link or entered details, go straight to what to do if you clicked a scam link — the first few minutes matter most. And whether or not you were caught out, reporting the scam helps get the campaign shut down for the next person.

Looking for something more specific? If a message claims to be from a particular organisation — your bank, Australia Post, the ATO, myGov, a toll operator — the brand-by-brand “is this a scam?” guides show exactly what a genuine message from that organisation looks like and the impersonation scams using its name. If you want to understand a scam pattern itself — fake deliveries, unpaid tolls, tax refunds, QR codes — the scam-type guides explain how each one works and how to avoid it.

These guides are general information for Australians, not legal or financial advice — if you've lost money, contact your bank and report it straight away.