How to Report a Scam or Cybercrime in Australia (and Recover Your Money)
Report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber, and call your bank the moment money leaves your account. Australia's new Scams Prevention Framework (2025) makes banks, telcos and platforms act — but reimbursement is not automatic.
Quick answer: Report scams to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and cybercrime — hacking, identity theft, online fraud — to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au/report). Then call your bank straight away. Australia's new Scams Prevention Framework now forces banks, telcos and platforms to act, but a refund is not guaranteed.
What to do in 3 steps
- Call your bank now. Ask them to stop or recall the payment and freeze the account. If you paid by card, ask about a chargeback. Speed decides whether the money can be clawed back.
- Report it. A scam goes to Scamwatch; a cybercrime (hacking, account takeover, identity theft) goes to ReportCyber, which routes to police. Keep the receipt number.
- Escalate if refused. If your bank won't help, take it free to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) on 1800 931 678. If your identity was exposed, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
How recovery actually works
Unlike the UK, Australia has no blanket mandatory-reimbursement scheme. Your best chance is your bank recalling the funds before they leave the system. From 2027, AFCA will start hearing scam complaints under the new framework and can order redress where a bank, telco or platform breached its obligations. Once money is moved overseas or into crypto, recovery is uncommon — which is why the first phone call to your bank matters more than anything.
What to have ready
- The amount, date and method of each payment (BSB and account, card, PayID, crypto wallet)
- Who you paid — account name, the platform or website used
- The scammer's phone numbers, emails, URLs and social-media handles
- Screenshots of messages, ads and payment confirmations
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a scam in Australia? Scams to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au); cybercrime to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au/report). There is no phone line for reports — they are filed online.
Will my bank refund a scam? Not automatically. A refund depends on a fast recall or on proving the bank failed its duties under the Scams Prevention Framework.
Who handles a dispute if my bank says no? AFCA, free, on 1800 931 678.