Yes, you absolutely can and should report scammers to the police in Australia, using the national ReportCyber portal for online/cyber scams or calling the Police Assistance Line (131 444) or attending your local station for immediate issues or offline fraud, alongside reporting to Scamwatch to help others and contacting your bank if money was lost.
To report a scammer in Australia, report it to Scamwatch (ACCC) for general scams, ReportCyber (ACSC) for cybercrime, and your local police (via 131 444) for financial loss or identity theft, using their dedicated forms and hotlines to help stop scammers and warn others. Always contact your bank immediately if you've lost money or shared details, and report to Scamwatch to help protect others.
Local police are positioned to investigate the incident and the CAFC supports law enforcement by sharing information collected through the reports. Reasons to report to the CAFC: the CAFC and National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3) work closely together, by sharing information you provide.
Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov . This easy-to-follow webform will route your case to the right agencies. Protect your identity. If you believe your identity is comprimised, place a fraud alert/credit freeze, and create an IdentityTheft.gov recovery plan.
Technological Tools and Expertise. Law enforcement agencies have access to advanced technological tools and resources that aid in tracing scammers. Digital forensics, data analysis, and cyber security experts play a crucial role in identifying the tactics and techniques used by scammers.
They are asset misappropriation, bribery and corruption, and financial statement fraud.
If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help. Contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at Report Fraud . Call us on 101 if you know the suspect or they're still in the area. Don't be embarrassed about reporting a scam.
If you paid by card or PayPal
If you've paid for something you haven't received, you might be able to get your money back. Your card provider can ask the seller's bank to refund the money. This is known as the 'chargeback scheme'. If you paid by debit card, you can use chargeback however much you paid.
Report anything you think may be a fraud, scam, or bad business practice. You can report even if you didn't lose money. For ideas of what you might report to the FTC, or to get information and advice, check out consumer.ftc.gov.
In the event of an emergency call 911.
If you wish to report a non-emergent crime involving the internet please call your local Sheriff's station, law enforcement agency or the LASD Fraud & Cyber Crime Bureau (562) 374-2601.
Online communities can help you find scammers faster. Start by checking websites like ScamWarners, Ripoff Report, and ScamAdviser. You can find records of reported scams, usernames, email addresses, and even IP data. Cross-check those names and emails with databases like Scamalytics or FraudWatch International.
Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious.
File a Police Report online or in person at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre or Neighbourhood Police Post. For urgent assistance, call 999. To report scams, you may share information with the Police via the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or online through the I-Witness e-Service.
This can take between six months and three years. Afterwards, the government will inform you if it plans on pursuing the fraud allegations you reported. If it does, in over 90 percent of cases, the whistleblower receives a reward for reporting fraud.
You've been scammed and lost money
To scare a scammer, you could waste their time with silly responses, pretend to be an automated messenger, or resend them the messages they sent you. Report all text scams to the Federal Trade Commission's Report Fraud site, filter messages from unknown numbers, and avoid opting in on company sites.
Banks may refund scammed money, but it heavily depends on whether the transaction was authorized or unauthorized, how quickly you report it, and the specific circumstances, with refunds more likely for unauthorized fraud (hacks) than for authorized payments where you were tricked into sending money (like romance scams or investment scams), though credit card chargebacks and consumer protections offer avenues for recovery. Your best chance for a refund involves immediate reporting, especially for unauthorized transfers, using credit cards for payments, and providing documentation to your bank.
Before you do anything, make sure you can prove the debt exists: Written agreement or contract. Text messages or emails acknowledging they owe you money. Bank transfer records showing you paid them or lent them money.
If you suspect a scam, there are a few important steps you should take right away. Contact your local police or sheriff's office to report the scam. Contact your state attorney general. Visit the National Association of Attorneys General website for the contact information of each state attorney general.
The reporting options available to fraud victims include: Attending a police station (in person) with a completed Fraud Report Form. ReportCyber portal – CIRS online reporting. NSW Police Assistance Line (131 444)
If the issue involves theft, fraud, or corruption: You may report issues of this nature to the IMU - If you feel that you cannot do this for any reason, then: Report the issue via the NPA Service Delivery Hotline at 0800 212 580.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Call 1326 Hotline to Report Scam! 🚨 Protect yourself and others from cyber fraud by reporting online scams directly through the Scam Watch Pilipinas online. 📱💻 Here's how you can report scams to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC): 1️⃣ Open your mobile browser and type 👉 www.
If you experienced a scam — or even spotted one, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Check out what's going on in your state or metro area by visiting ftc.gov/exploredata.
Common scammer phrases create urgency, fear, or excitement, using words like "Act Now!," "Your account will be suspended," or "You've won!" to rush decisions, while romance scammers use "Soulmate," "Trust me," and "In trouble" to build quick intimacy. Other red flags include overly formal or broken English like "Would you kindly," grammatical errors, requests for secrecy ("Don't tell anyone"), or threats of arrest/deportation.