How it works
Not sure if something is real? Send us the suspicious SMS, email, website link, invoice, social media message, screenshot, letter, or a short description of the call or situation before you click, reply or pay. We’ll review it as quickly as possible, usually within the same day during normal hours. Messages sent late at night may be checked the next morning. We do not need your personal information.
Please cover or remove names, passwords, login codes, bank details, account numbers, addresses, licence details or anything private before sending it through.
SMS or WhatsApp: 0481 399 771
1. Send it to us
0481 399 771
Send anything suspicious by SMS or WhatsApp
2. We check it
We look for common scam warning signs like fake links, urgent wording, payment requests or requests for personal information.
3. Get a clear reply
We’ll tell you what looks suspicious and what your safest next step should be.
What we do
Scams are getting harder to spot. In 2025, Australians reported $2.18 billion in scam losses across Scamwatch, ReportCyber, IDCARE, AFCX and ASIC, with 481,523 scam reports recorded nationally. The top scam types by losses included investment scams, payment redirection, romance scams, phishing and remote access scams.
ScamOrNot gives everyday Australians a fast, simple second set of eyes before they click, reply, share details or pay.
Send us a suspicious SMS, email, invoice, website link, social media message, screenshot or a short description of what happened at 0481 399 771. We’ll check it for common warning signs and explain, in plain English, whether it looks suspicious and what your safest next step should be.
We review messages as quickly as possible, usually within the same day during normal hours. Messages sent late at night may be checked the next morning.
You do not need to send us personal details. In fact, we encourage you to cover or remove names, passwords, codes, bank details, account numbers, addresses and ID information before sending anything through.
We’re here for people who want calm, practical help — especially older adults, families, small business owners and anyone who is not confident with suspicious online messages.
How to spot a scam: 5 simple checks
1. Stop if you feel rushed
Scammers often create pressure so you act before thinking. Be careful of messages or calls saying you must act “today”, your account will be locked, you’ll be fined, or your money is at risk.
2. Be careful with links and attachments
Do not click links in unexpected texts, emails or social messages. Scammers can make fake websites look very real, including fake bank, myGov, ATO, toll, delivery and payment pages.
3. Never share codes, passwords or personal details
A real bank, government agency or business should not ask for your password, banking login, one-time code, TFN, licence, passport, or full card details through a random call, text or email. Verification codes are especially important — never read them out to someone who contacted you.
4. Check using a trusted source
Do not use the phone number, link or contact details in the message. Go to the official website or app yourself, or call the organisation using a number you already trust.
5. Be suspicious of money requests
Treat it as a red flag if someone asks you to transfer money, pay a small fee, buy gift cards, send crypto, pay to “release” funds, or move money to a “safe account”. This includes messages that look like they are from family, your bank, a supplier or a government agency.
Common scams to watch out for
Scams can come in many forms, from fake tax refunds and delivery texts to bank impersonation calls and investment offers. Below are some common examples seen in Australia, along with simple signs to look for before you click, reply, share details or make a payment.
What it looks like: A text, email or call says you are owed a tax refund, your taxable income has been recalculated, or your myGov account needs urgent verification.
Common signs:
“Click here to claim your refund”
Requests for myGov login, TFN, bank details or ID documents
Fake urgency: “Your refund will expire today”
Sender address looks slightly wrong
Link does not clearly go to official ato.gov.au or my.gov.au
Safe tip: Do not click the link. Open the ATO or myGov website yourself by typing it into your browser. The ATO has warned about scammers pretending to be from the ATO or myGov with fake recalculation/refund messages.
What it looks like: A caller or message claims to be from your bank and says your money is unsafe, your card has been used, or you need to transfer money to a “safe account”.
Common signs:
They ask you to move money urgently
They ask for codes sent to your phone
They tell you not to hang up or not to tell anyone
The number may look like your bank’s real number because scammers can spoof caller ID
They sound professional and calm, not always suspicious
Safe tip: Hang up. Call your bank using the number on the back of your card or from the official website. Scamwatch specifically warns that phishing and impersonation scams may ask people to verify accounts, share personal information, or move money to another account.
What it looks like: A text says you have an unpaid toll, road fee, parking fine or delivery fee. It asks you to click a link and pay a small amount.
Common signs:
Small payment amount designed to feel harmless
Threat of late fees or account suspension
Link goes to a fake payment page
Message may arrive even if you recently used toll roads
Poor grammar, odd link, or generic greeting
Safe tip: Do not pay through the link. Go directly to the official toll provider or government website. Toll road scams are listed by Scamwatch as a common phishing scam type in Australia.
What it looks like: A text or email says a parcel is delayed, needs redelivery, or requires a small customs/shipping fee.
Common signs:
“Your package could not be delivered”
“Pay $1.99 to release your parcel”
Fake Australia Post, DHL, FedEx or courier branding
Link asks for card details
You are not expecting a parcel, or the tracking number looks fake
Safe tip: Use the official courier app or website. Do not enter card details from a text link.
What it looks like: An ad, social media message or “financial adviser” promises easy returns through crypto, AI trading, forex, shares or a special investment platform.
Common signs:
Guaranteed returns or “low risk, high return”
Celebrity or news-style fake endorsement
Pressure to invest quickly
They show fake dashboards with growing profits
You can deposit money easily, but withdrawing becomes hard
They ask for more money to “unlock” your funds
Safe tip: Search the company independently. Check ASIC’s registers. Never invest because someone contacted you online. Scamwatch says Australians lose more money to investment scams than any other scam type.
What it looks like: Someone calls claiming to be from Telstra, Microsoft, NBN, your bank, PayPal or an anti-scam team. They say your device, account or internet has been hacked.
Common signs:
They ask you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer or similar software
They ask you to log in to online banking while they are connected
They claim they are helping “stop fraud”
They ask you to read out codes or approve prompts
They keep you on the phone for a long time
Safe tip: Never give remote access to someone who contacted you unexpectedly. Older Australians are disproportionately affected by remote access scams, even though reported losses fell in 2025 compared with 2024.
What it looks like: A message says something like: “Hi Mum, I dropped my phone. This is my new number.” Then they ask for urgent money.
Common signs:
New unknown number
They avoid calling
They create urgency: broken phone, unpaid bill, emergency
They ask for bank transfer, gift cards or instant payment
They may use family-style language but avoid specifics
Safe tip: Call the person on their old number or ask a question only they would know. Do not transfer money based only on a message.
What it looks like: A fake buyer or seller contacts you on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or similar sites.
Common signs:
Buyer says they will send a courier
They ask you to pay a small “insurance” or “release” fee
Seller asks for deposit before inspection
Price is too cheap
They avoid meeting or video calls
Payment confirmation email looks fake
Safe tip: Use platform-safe payment methods where possible. Avoid deposits unless you are confident the item and person are real.
What it looks like: A business receives an email that looks like it is from a supplier, builder, real estate agent or contractor saying bank details have changed.
Common signs:
Slightly changed email address
New BSB/account number
“Please use these updated payment details”
Invoice looks normal because scammers may have copied a real one
Timing lines up with a real payment due
Safe tip: Before paying, call the supplier using a number you already trust, not the number in the email. Payment redirection scams cost Australians heavily, with the 2025 Targeting Scams reporting highlighting major losses in this category.
What it looks like: Someone contacts you after you have been scammed and claims they can recover your money.
Common signs:
They ask for an upfront fee
They claim to be from a government agency, police, bank or crypto recovery service
They say your money has been found
They ask for wallet details, ID or remote access
They pressure you while you are stressed
Safe tip: Be careful: people who have already been scammed are often targeted again. Report to your bank, Scamwatch and IDCARE instead of trusting someone who contacts you out of the blue.
Helpful Resources
Latest banking scams to be aware of
Examples of the latest tax and super-related ATO impersonation scams.
ASIC — Use ASIC’s resources to help avoid scams
How well do you know scams? Take the quiz
Stop. Check. Protect. resources
Protect yourself from scams
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Send us the suspicious SMS, email, link, invoice, screenshot or a short description by:
SMS/WhatsApp: 0481 399 771
Please block out passwords, codes, card numbers or personal details before sending.
No. Please do not send personal information unless it is absolutely needed.
We usually only need to see the suspicious message, email, link, invoice, screenshot or a short description of what happened. You can cover or crop out your name, address, account numbers, phone number, email address, bank details, customer numbers and any private documents.
We do not need and will NEVER ask for your passwords, banking login, one-time codes (OTP) or ID documents.
ScamOrNot gives you a second set of well-trained eyes before you click, reply, pay or share information.
Our human reviewers include people with experienced backgrounds in digital marketing, financial services, and IT/cyber, which helps us recognise common scam patterns, fake links, pressure tactics, suspicious wording, payment red flags and impersonation attempts.
We explain what we see in plain English so you can make a safer decision.
No service can honestly guarantee that something is 100% safe.
What we can do is review the information you send, identify warning signs, explain the risks and suggest safer next steps. If there is any doubt, we will usually recommend you contact the organisation directly using official contact details, not the phone number, link or email provided in the suspicious message.
You can send suspicious:
SMS messages
Emails
Links
Screenshots
Invoices
Marketplace messages
Bank or payment warnings
Delivery messages
Social media messages
WhatsApp messages
Requests for money, gift cards, crypto or urgent transfers
You can also simply describe a phone call or situation if you do not have a screenshot.
Act quickly.
If you shared banking details, card details, passwords or sent money, contact your bank immediately. If you shared a password, change it straight away. You should also report the scam to Scamwatch and follow guidance from trusted Australian government sources.
ScamOrNot can help you understand what may have happened, but urgent financial or identity issues should go directly to your bank, telco, email provider or the relevant official organisation.
About us
ScamorNot is run by two local Melburnians with 20+ years’ combined experience across digital marketing, financial services, technology, IT and cyber-related clients in Australia and overseas. We know the red flags, pressure tactics and digital tricks scammers use, and we stay across the latest scams and fraud trends as they continue to grow. We’re not a bank, lawyer or government agency, just tech-savvy, scam-aware locals offering a quick second opinion before you click, pay, reply or share anything.
ScamOrNot.com.au provides general scam-awareness support only. We are not a bank, government agency, law firm, financial adviser, cyber security incident response provider or emergency fraud service. We cannot guarantee that something is 100% safe or definitely a scam. Please do not send passwords, codes, banking details, ID documents or sensitive personal information. If you have already paid, clicked, shared details or believe your identity is at risk, contact your bank or the relevant official organisation immediately. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ScamOrNot is not responsible for any loss arising from actions taken or not taken based on our general scam-awareness support.a