Fake Tech Support Scams in Australia
How fake tech support fraud targets Australians — from NBN and Telstra impersonation to Microsoft pop-ups — with Scamwatch and ReportCyber reporting routes and the Australian-specific variants.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake tech support scams in Australia have distinctive local variants alongside the global patterns: callers impersonate NBN Co (the National Broadband Network), Telstra, Optus, or the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), and use these familiar Australian brands to establish credibility before requesting remote access or payment. The ACCC's Scamwatch records fake tech support as a consistently high-volume fraud category in Australia.
This guide covers the Australian-specific impersonation patterns, the payment methods most commonly demanded in the Australian context, and the correct reporting routes through Scamwatch and ReportCyber.
How this scam works on Australia
In Australia, fake tech support contact most commonly arrives as a cold call from someone claiming to be from NBN Co or Telstra, saying that suspicious activity has been detected on the victim's connection or that their NBN line has been 'compromised.' NBN Co's well-known rollout and Australians' familiarity with NBN-related issues make this a plausible pretext.
The caller creates urgency and directs the victim to install remote access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) to 'diagnose' the problem. Once remote access is granted, the scammer navigates to the victim's banking portal, sometimes locking the screen or creating distractions while accessing financial information or initiating transfers.
Payment demands vary: gift cards (Google Play, Apple, eBay) are common for smaller amounts; bank transfers and cryptocurrency are used for larger ones. A specific Australian pattern involves the caller accessing the victim's internet banking while remote access is active and claiming to demonstrate 'fraudulent transactions' — the amounts visible on screen — before demanding payment to 'fix' them.
NBN Co has publicly stated it never contacts customers about security issues, equipment fees, or account problems by phone — any unsolicited call from 'NBN Co' about a technical problem is fraudulent.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited call claiming to be from NBN Co, Telstra, or Optus about a problem with your connection
- Any request to install remote access software during a support call
- A caller who accesses your banking screen remotely and claims to show you 'fraudulent transactions'
- Payment requested via gift cards, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency to fix a technical issue
- NBN Co or Telstra caller ID displayed — these can be spoofed
- Caller who creates urgency by saying your connection will be cut off or your account penalised unless you act now
How to protect yourself
- NBN Co never contacts customers unsolicited about security or connection problems — hang up on any such call
- Never install remote access software at the direction of an unsolicited caller
- If a caller claims to be from Telstra or Optus, hang up and call the carrier directly on a number from their official website
- No tech company, utility, or government agency accepts gift card payment for any issue
- Report suspicious calls to Scamwatch before engaging — early reports help identify active campaigns
How to report it
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au — include the phone number and the carrier name impersonated
- Report cybercrime elements (remote access granted, malware potentially installed) to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au/report-a-cybercrime
- Report NBN impersonation to NBN Co directly at nbnco.com.au/about-nbn-co/media-centre/scam-alerts
- If remote access was granted and banking was accessed, contact your bank's fraud line immediately and change all passwords
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a real NBN or Telstra call from an impersonator?
Real NBN Co doesn't cold-call asking for remote access to your computer or payment to "fix" your connection, and Telstra won't ask you to buy gift cards to resolve a billing issue. If you're unsure, hang up and call the company back using the number on your bill or their official website — not a number given by the caller.
Where do I report a fake tech support scam in Australia?
Report it to Scamwatch (run by the ACCC) to help track scam patterns nationally, and if you've lost money or had personal information compromised, also file a report through ReportCyber, the national cybercrime reporting portal. Both reports help authorities and can support any later investigation.
I let a fake "Microsoft" caller remote into my computer — what should I do now?
Disconnect from the internet and shut down the remote-access session immediately, then run a full antivirus scan and change your important passwords (email, banking) from a different, uncompromised device. Contact your bank to flag your accounts for monitoring, and report the incident to Scamwatch and ReportCyber.
Does NBN Co ever call customers about connection problems?
NBN Co does not make unsolicited calls to customers about security issues, connection problems, or equipment upgrades. If you are experiencing a genuine NBN issue, contact your retail service provider (Telstra, Optus, TPG, etc.) — not NBN Co directly. Any unsolicited call claiming to be from 'NBN Co' about a technical problem is fraudulent.
I gave a caller remote access to my computer — what should I do in Australia?
Disconnect from the internet immediately. Change all passwords from a separate device. Run a malware scan with a legitimate security product. Contact your bank's fraud line if banking was accessed. Report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au/report-a-cybercrime and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Consider contacting IDCARE at idcare.org if personal identity information may have been accessed.