If you are a victim of a scam, take steps immediately to limit the damage, protect yourself from further loss, and get personal support. 

Financial loss

• If your banking details have been taken, report it to your bank or financial institution.

• If you have lost money to a scam via credit card payment, contact your credit card provider and ask for a chargeback. Read more about credit card charge backs.

• If you are in financial trouble after sending funds to scammers, contact the National Debt Helpline. This not-for-profit service can assist with free, independent and confidential financial counselling to help tackle debt problems.
  Contact: 1800 007 007.

• Visit ASIC MoneySmart for more information about obtaining a free credit history report. Credit reports can help you identify any fraud in your name.

Personal information loss

• Contact IDCARE, a national identity and cyber support service that assists scam victims who have had their identity information compromised or misused. Contact: 1800 595 160.

• Contact the Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk if you have lost Centrelink, Medicare, child support or myGov information. This helpdesk offers support and advice about how to protect yourself and your personal information.
  Contact: 1800 941 126 or via email.

Loss of account information

• If you have given your account information (such as PIN verification codes or passwords) to a scammer, contact the account provider immediately.

• When resetting any passwords, create passwords that are long and use a mix of upper and lower case letters, plus numbers and symbols. Regularly update passwords and consider using a password generator.

Blackmail

• If you have been (or are being) blackmailed, contact the eSafety Commissioner for assistance

Warning - If you have engaged with scammers they may continue to contact you.

• Scammers may impersonate other trusted individuals, organisations or companies.
• Scammers may claim to be a recovery agency offering to help recover lost money.

Reporting 

It is important to report any scams to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), which will use your report to investigate cyber security threats.

Personal support

If you are a victim of a scam, you may find personal and/or financial counselling useful. Some services are free, while others may provide rebates.

Personal counselling

	Beyond Blue Phone: 1300 224 636
	Lifeline  Phone: 131114
	Relationships Australia  Phone: 1300 364 277
	Centrecare  Phone: 9325 6644
	Communicare  Phone: 9251 5777

Financial Counselling

There are several agencies in Western Australia that offer free or low cost financial counselling. Here are some you can contact:

	Communicare  Phone: 9251 5777
	Anglicare  Phone: 1300 114 446
	Uniting Care West  Phone: 1300 663 298
	Financial Counsellors' Association of WA can also put you in touch with a financial counsellor in your area. Phone: 1800 007 007
	MoneySmart can help you find a financial counsellor
	National Debt Helpline Phone: 1800 007 007

Legal advice

Consumer Credit Legal Service offer legal advice on financial matters. Phone: 9221 7066

Further information 

We encourage you to print the spotting scams factsheet to keep this information handy or to give to someone you know who might need assistance.

Victim Support service 

The Victim Support Service can help explain the effects of crime and help you understand your rights within the criminal justice systems. Their website also has an online directory of service providers.

Australian Psychological Society

Use the Australian Psychological Society to find a private psychologist. To access Medicare rebates for psychological counselling, you will need a doctor’s referral and choose a registered Medicare psychology provider (find the provider list on the Society’s website).

Last updated June 2023