What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

There’s no shame in getting scammed. Scammers target everyone, which means anyone can be a victim. If you find yourself falling victim to a scam, it’s important not to panic. There are still ways you can limit the damage and protect yourself. Here’s what you need to do if you’ve been scammed:

22 September 2026

Report the scam

Regardless of the type of scam, report it immediately as soon as you realise what happened. If you’ve sent money to someone, do not send any more and report their account. You must contact your bank as soon as possible, as well.

The same goes for scams where the scammer takes money from your account or uses your credit card. Report suspicious and unauthorised transactions to your bank or credit provider and ask them to stop any ongoing or new transactions.

Explain what happened to your bank’s representatives and find out what course of action you should take. When calling your bank or card provider, always do so on an official channel like their customer service hotline, official email, or go to a branch to speak with someone directly.

If someone stole your identity or compromised your personal information, let your financial institutions know, as well. This includes your bank, credit card provider, lender, and super fund.

You should also report the scam to relevant authorities. You can file an official report to the police online and report it to Scam Watch.

Contact IDCARE

IDCARE is an independent, non-profit organisation that helps victims of identity theft, scams, and cybercrime. This organisation helps individuals, small businesses, and organisations.

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, IDCARE can provide support and help you limit the damage. IDCARE offers ongoing assistance so you may get in touch with them and create a plan on how to move forward.

You can reach them through their website IDCARE.org or call them at 1800 595 160.

Change your passwords

If your password has leaked or your online accounts have been compromised, change your passwords immediately and log out of all your devices. Make sure your new passwords are strong and haven’t been used before. You should also turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA), if you haven’t already, for an added layer of protection on your accounts.

Double-check your accounts to make sure that your leaked password, email, or other credentials aren’t used on any other online account.

Update your device’s anti-virus

For scams that involve computer hacks, make sure that your computer’s software and anti-virus are updated. Remove any malware and suspicious files that may have caused the hack. You should also change your passwords.

If your phone has been compromised, contact your provider to report the incident. Update your device’s security software and change your passwords there as well. Block any spam calls or unknown numbers.

Watch out for follow-up scams

Follow-up scams are common for those who’ve already been targeted in a scam. If you receive any suspicious calls or messages, block and report the number or email. It’s best to avoid any unknown numbers trying to reach you.

Get support

Getting scammed is a tough experience which can leave you in financial straits. If you find yourself in debt after a scam, get in touch with a financial adviser to see what the best course of action is.

For mental health support, contact Beyond Blue by calling 1300 22 4636 or reach out through their online chat.

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