Australia has invested heavily in scam disruption, and the reporting landscape reflects that: several specialised bodies rather than one. Knowing which does what saves time when time is the variable that matters most.
Your bank, immediately
Australian banks participate in coordinated anti-scam arrangements and can act quickly where funds remain in a receiving account. Call the fraud line, request a recall, and ask what protections apply to your situation. Get the case reference and the time of the call in writing where you can.
Scamwatch
Operated by the ACCC at scamwatch.gov.au, this is the national scam reporting channel. Reports feed intelligence used for disruption and public warnings. It does not investigate individual cases or recover funds, and the aggregate data genuinely drives takedowns and alerts.
ReportCyber
cyber.gov.au/report is the channel for cybercrime — hacking, ransomware, business email compromise, and online fraud with a criminal dimension. Reports are referred to the relevant police jurisdiction and you receive a reference number. Use this in addition to Scamwatch where a crime has been committed against you or your business.
ASIC and Moneysmart
Before investing, check the firm on ASIC Connect for a licence, and check the Moneysmart investor alert list of companies you should not deal with. Fraudulent platforms frequently quote a real licence number belonging to somebody else, so verify the contact details from the register rather than from the firm.
AFCA
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority handles complaints about banks, insurers, and other financial firms once their internal process has concluded or a set period has passed. It is free to consumers and can make determinations binding on the firm. This is the escalation route when a bank declines a claim you believe was mishandled.
Identity theft support
IDCARE is a free national identity and cyber support service for Australia and New Zealand, providing individual case managers for identity compromise. For significant identity theft, it is one of the most practically useful services available in either country.