Scamwatch
Australia's national scam reporting and consumer education service, operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Also known as: ACCC Scamwatch, National Anti-Scam Centre
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Scamwatch is Australia's primary consumer-facing resource for reporting scams and accessing scam-awareness information, operated by the ACCC. Consumers submit reports at scamwatch.gov.au; this data feeds into ACCC enforcement decisions, intelligence sharing with law enforcement, and the annual Targeting Scams report, which documents Australian scam losses by type and demographic.
Scamwatch operates a real-time scam alert system and curates a library of scam descriptions with identification tips. The ACCC uses Scamwatch data to pursue enforcement action against misleading advertisements, fake websites, and unlicensed operators that target Australian consumers. It also works with banks and telcos to disrupt scam infrastructure.
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), launched in 2023 within the ACCC, strengthens coordination with banks, telcos, and digital platforms to disrupt scams faster. For victims seeking financial reimbursement from their bank, the next step after Scamwatch is AFCA if the bank refuses.
Examples
- An Australian consumer reports a fake parcel delivery text to Scamwatch; the NASC coordinates with the telco to block the sending number.
- An investor reports a crypto investment scam to Scamwatch; the report contributes to an ACCC investigation that shuts down the fake platform.