Is this bill or text from NBN Co a scam?
No. NBN Co is the legitimate government-owned company that builds and operates Australia's wholesale broadband network. NBN Co says it does not directly sell phone or internet services, which is why an 'NBN' cold call about disconnection, upgrades or remote access is one of Australia's most familiar phone scams. The good news: a few quick checks almost always tell a real NBN Co message from a fake.
Genuine NBN Co links lead to nbnco.com.au — but a link can be made to look real, so don't go by the link alone. Below is how genuine NBN Co contact usually works, the scams commonly run in its name, the red flags that give a fake away, and an example to compare against. Got a message in front of you? Check it now for an instant verdict.
What a real NBN Co message looks like
Genuine messages from NBN Co link to nbnco.com.au. Treat a link to any other address as a warning sign.
- NBN Co says it does not directly sell phone or internet services; you choose a phone or internet provider for a service over the nbn network
- NBN Co says it won't call and ask to access your computer, request payment by gift card, or threaten to disconnect your service
- NBN Co says it won't call to say your nbn connection has been hacked or has a security issue, use a robocall to say your service will be disconnected, or offer unsolicited technical support
- NBN Co says it won't ask for payment to secure a connection, appointment, service visit, new modem or equipment postage, although in limited circumstances it may accept direct payment for services you requested directly, such as some network infrastructure change applications
- If someone visits to carry out work on the nbn network, NBN Co says to ask to see their nbn digital identification card before giving access; as a general rule, also confirm with your own provider using details you find yourself
What a genuine NBN Co contact shouldn't do
- Call and ask to access your computer, or ask you to install software that lets someone remotely access your devices (NBN Co says it won't)
- Threaten to disconnect your service unless you pay a fee, provide personal information or install software (NBN Co says it won't, and won't use a robocall to say your service will be disconnected)
- Ask you to pay using gift cards, or ask for your Medicare, passport or other identity document details (NBN Co says it won't)
- Offer unsolicited technical support, a rebate for slow internet speeds, or ask you to run a speed test over the phone (NBN Co says it won't)
- Sell phone or internet services directly (NBN Co says it does not directly sell them)
Common NBN Co scams
- Cold callers claiming your NBN service will be cut off unless you pay for an immediate upgrade.
- Scammers posing as NBN technicians who insist on remote access to your computer to ‘fix’ a non-existent fault.
- Emails or texts urging you to click a link to ‘book your free NBN installation’ or schedule a technician visit.
Red flags to watch for
- An unexpected phone call from someone claiming to represent NBN Co.
- Any request to install software or allow remote access to your computer.
- Urgent language stating your service will be disconnected today unless you act.
- An unexpected text offering a free upgrade or an installation booking; TPG and Vodafone both warn about fake texts offering or confirming an nbn appointment.
- Links pointing to an address that only looks like the real NBN Co site; a link that looks right proves nothing either, so check with your retail provider.
NBN Co scam examples
These composed examples show how scams impersonating NBN Co typically read, with the tells that give each one away. Compare them against anything you've received.
A caller says they are 'from the NBN' and your internet will be disconnected within 24 hours because of a fault or overdue network fees. To keep your connection, you must either pay for an urgent upgrade or let their 'technician' connect remotely to your computer to run checks.
What gives it away:
- NBN Co says it won't call to tell you you're going to be disconnected, so a call that opens with a disconnection warning matches a scam NBN Co describes
- NBN Co says it won't call and ask to access your computer or ask you to install software that lets someone remotely access your devices; a remote-access request is a hallmark of this scam
- A same-day disconnection ultimatum is the pressure tactic; NBN Co says to end the conversation and contact your provider using the contact details on its official website
NBN: Your address is scheduled for a mandatory fibre upgrade. Book your free installation within 48 hours at nbn-upgrade-bookings[.]invalid or your connection will be interrupted.
What gives it away:
- A text can show any name, so don't rely on it; TPG and Vodafone both warn about fake texts offering or confirming an nbn appointment, so check any upgrade or appointment text with your own provider
- The booking link is a lookalike address; a link that looks right proves nothing either, so check upgrade and maintenance information with your provider or by typing the NBN Co website address in yourself
- The 48-hour 'book or lose your connection' framing is the pressure tactic; check with your provider before booking anything through a link
Not sure about your message?
Paste the suspicious NBN Co text or email and get an instant scam verdict, free.
How to verify a message from NBN Co
- Hang up on the call, or leave the message unanswered; don't press keys, click links or call numbers it supplies
- Type nbnco.com.au into your browser yourself to check any genuine outage, upgrade or rollout information for your address
- Contact your retail broadband provider through their own app or website, using contact details you find yourself; NBN Co says to end the conversation and contact your provider using the contact details on its official website
- If you still want to check with NBN Co, use the contact form or live chat you reach by typing nbnco.com.au yourself
If you have been scammed in NBN Co's name
Clicked the link, paid, or shared details? Act now. The first hour matters more than anything else you do later.
- If you allowed remote access, disconnect that device from the internet, uninstall the remote-access software, run a security scan, and change your important passwords from a different device
- If you paid or shared card details, call your bank immediately, block the card and dispute the charges
- If you shared identity documents, contact IDCARE (idcare.org) for free identity support
- Report the scam to Scamwatch and ReportCyber using the links below, and forward any scam SMS to 7226 so carriers can block the sender
Where to report a scam impersonating NBN Co
Received — or fell for — a message impersonating NBN Co? Report it. It helps authorities and carriers shut the campaign down for everyone who gets the next one.
- Scamwatch — Report the scam to the ACCC's national scam service.
- ReportCyber — Report cybercrime and financial loss to the police.
- ACMA — Complain about scam texts and spam SMS, email or calls.
- Forward to 7226 (SCAM) — Forward the scam SMS to short code 7226 so carriers can block the source.
- IDCARE — Free identity and cyber support if your details were taken.
NBN Co scam activity in 2026
The 'NBN' scam is often a phone operation: a caller says your connection is faulty, hacked or about to be disconnected, then steers you toward paying for an urgent upgrade or giving a fake technician remote access to your computer. NBN Co said in August 2024 that scammers had also started door knocking and cold calling areas where its technicians were working, falsely seeking fees to fix or upgrade equipment, schedule appointments or conduct inspections. Text and email variants dangle free fibre-upgrade or installation bookings behind lookalike links. NBN Co says to hang up and contact your phone or internet provider using the contact details on its official website.
Frequently asked questions
I received a call saying it’s from NBN Co — is it a scam?
It may well be. NBN Co says it won't call and ask to access your computer or tell you you're going to be disconnected, and Telstra, Vodafone, TPG and Aussie Broadband all describe 'nbn disconnection' calls as scams. If you're unsure, hang up and contact your phone or internet provider using the contact details on its official website.
NBN Co text message with a link — real or fake?
Don't use the link. A text can show any name, and TPG and Vodafone both warn about fake texts offering or confirming an nbn appointment. Check any upgrade or appointment text with your retail provider, or by typing the NBN Co website address into your browser yourself.
Someone claiming to be NBN tech support wants remote access — what should I do?
NBN Co says never to give an unexpected caller access to your computer or phone. End the call, contact your provider using details from its official website, and report it at scamwatch.gov.au.
How do I check if an email about NBN is genuine?
Don't rely on the sender's address, because addresses can be disguised, and don't click links in an unexpected email. Contact your retail provider using details you find yourself, or type the NBN Co website address into your browser.
What is NBN Co's real website?
NBN Co's official website is nbnco.com.au. NBN Co says it is a wholesale network and does not directly sell phone or internet services, so your plan comes from a retail provider, although in limited circumstances it may accept direct payment for services you requested directly, such as some network infrastructure change applications. Be wary of anyone contacting you 'from the NBN' to sell you something or to ask for access to your devices.
How do I report an NBN scam call or text?
Report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), and forward any scam SMS to 7226 (spells SCAM) so carriers can block the sender. If you lost money or gave a caller remote access to your computer, also report it to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) and call your bank straight away.
Scam message examples
Related scam types
Scams impersonating NBN Co usually fit one of these patterns. Learn how each works:
Related brands
Other telco names scammers impersonate — check a message from one:
Sources
- Phone scams (Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre))
- Report a scam (Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre))
- Report a cybercrime or cyber security incident (Australian Cyber Security Centre)
- Protect yourself from scams (NBN Co)
- Strengthening scam awareness during nbn upgrades (NBN Co)
- Active scams and scam alerts (Telstra)
- Scams Awareness (Vodafone Australia)
- Scams Awareness (TPG)
- Scam Calls (Aussie Broadband)
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice — always verify with NBN Co through an official channel.