How to report scams and cybercrime

In this guide, we explain what you should do if someone scams you. 

A scam is when someone tries to: 

• trick you 
• take your money.

We also explain how to report scams and cybercrimes. 

A cybercrime is when someone uses computers or the internet to break the law. 

For example, they steal information or damage computers with a virus.

You should stop contacting the scammer. 

A scammer is a person who does a scam. 

Scammers will never give you your money back.

If the scammer has your bank details, you should contact your bank. 

They can stop someone from using your account. 

Your bank can also stop someone from using your credit card.

You should change the passwords to your devices and online accounts.

You should write down any information you know about the scammer to help NSW Fair Trading find and stop them. 

For example, the scammer’s: 

• phone number 
• email address
• website 
• car number plate – if they visit you in person.

You should report the scam as soon as you can. 

If you wait to report it, more people might get scammed too.

You should get support if you need it. 

For example, you can contact ID Support NSW if someone has stolen your identity. 

Your identity is what makes you who you are. For example, your name and age.

You can find out more on the ID Support NSW page on our website.

You should tell people about the scam and what you did about it. 

For example: 

• the people you work with 
• your friends and family.

There are different ways you can report a scam.

You can report a scam to NSW Fair Trading if: 

• the scam starts in NSW 
  or 
• you know the scammer is in NSW

You can call NSW Fair Trading to report a scam. 

13 32 20

Or you can report a scam on the NSW Fair Trading website.

For scams outside NSW, you can report it on the Scamwatch website.

Scamwatch is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). 

The ACCC teaches people about scams and how to report them.

You can report a cybercrime on the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN). 

ACORN is an online tool run by the Australian Government to report cybercrimes.

ACORN will send your report to the right people. 

For example: 

• the police 
• a government organisation.

You can find out more about reporting a cybercrime on the Australian Signals Directorate website.

You call the NSW Police to report a scam or cybercrime. 

131 444

Or you can report a scam or cybercrime on the NSW Police website.

You can report money scams on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website.

You can call the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft to report a myGov scam. 

1800 941 126

You can also find out more about how to report a myGov scam on the Services Australia website.

Cyberbullying is when a person uses technology to say or do something to make you feel bad over and over again.

You can report cyberbullying on the eSafety Commissioner website.

You can report spam emails or messages on the Australian Communications and Media Authority website.

Tax is money all Australians pay to the government. 

The government uses tax to pay for things in the community, like roads and hospitals.

You can report tax scams on the Australian Taxation Office website.