Scammed in Australia? A Calm, Step-by-Step Recovery Plan

Last Updated: 5 June 2026

Being scammed is upsetting, and it happens to careful, intelligent people every day — Australians lose billions to scams each year. Take a breath: acting quickly and in the right order gives you the best chance of limiting the damage and recovering. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, points you to the right help for your situation, and explains the step many people miss — making sure the device you were using is actually clean.

Step 1 — Stop the bleeding

If money is moving, call your bank’s 24/7 fraud line now and ask them to stop or trace transfers and freeze affected accounts. If you gave someone remote access to a device, disconnect it from the internet. Stop all contact with the scammer and don’t send any more money, gift cards or crypto.

Step 2 — Secure your accounts

From a device you trust, change your passwords — email first (it’s the master key to everything else), then banking, then anything important. Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere you can.

Step 3 — Clean the device that was involved

This is the step most people skip. If a scammer had remote access, or you clicked a dodgy link or installed something, your computer or phone may still carry malware, a keylogger or a back door — and new passwords can be captured all over again. Depending on what happened:

• Remote-access / “tech support” scam → I gave a scammer remote access — what to do
• Installed AnyDesk or TeamViewer for a caller → AnyDesk / TeamViewer scam help
• Bank account accessed or drained → bank account hacked — what to do
• Phone acting strangely or possibly monitored → remove a hacker or spyware from your phone

The Original PC Doctor can check and clean your device, help you lock down your accounts, and confirm it’s safe to bank on again — onsite or remotely, Australia-wide.

Step 4 — Report it

Reporting protects others and creates a record you may need:

• Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre) — report at scamwatch.gov.au.
• IDCARE — Australia’s free identity & cyber support service: 1800 595 160. Best first call if your identity or documents may be exposed.
• ReportCyber (Australian Cyber Security Centre) — cyber.gov.au.
• If a social media or marketplace account was involved, report it to that platform too.

Step 5 — Try to recover your money

Report to your bank immediately — fast reports have the best chance of being stopped or recovered. If you’re not satisfied with your bank’s response, you can lodge a free complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Under Australia’s Scam Prevention Framework (law since 2025) reimbursement is sometimes possible, though not guaranteed — so act fast and keep every record, screenshot and reference number.

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s completely normal after a scam — there’s no shame in being caught out. IDCARE’s counsellors (1800 595 160) provide free, practical support, and if you need to talk to someone, Lifeline is on 13 11 14.

A recent client story

Frequently asked questions

Can you get scammed money back in Australia?

Sometimes. Report to your bank immediately — fast reports have the best chance of being stopped or recovered. You can escalate to the free AFCA service if your bank’s response isn’t satisfactory. Reimbursement isn’t guaranteed, so act quickly and keep records.

Do I need my computer checked if I was scammed online?

If you only entered details on a fake website, changing your passwords may be enough. But if you installed anything, gave remote access, or your device is behaving oddly, have it checked — hidden malware can keep capturing your new passwords.

Who do I report a scam to in Australia?

Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and your bank, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free support, and report cybercrime to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au).

Take back control. Call 1300 723 628 or book a device security check — we’ll help you get clean and safe again.