Step 1
Do not give extra personal details just to receive PayID payment.
Buying or selling online?
Marketplace Scam Checker
Check buyer and seller red flags for Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, PayID, courier pickup, fake payment screenshots and deposits.
Scam Help helps Australians choose the right next step before they click, before they pay, after they click, or when they need to report.
Stop. Check. Ask Your IT & Tech Mates.
Privacy assurance: answers stay on this page/device. We do not store your answers or reports on our server. Details are cleared when you close or leave the page.
What happened? Choose the safest starting point.
Use this as a first-check triage system. Start with the situation, then move to the safest next step before paying for help.
Before I actI have not clicked, paid, logged in or installed anything yet.Start this checker
Money or card details sharedPayment, PayID, gift card, crypto, bank transfer or card details were involved.Bank-first steps
Clicked or shared detailsA password, one-time code, personal information or account login may have been shared.Recovery helper
Call, pop-up or remote accessSomeone asked to install an app, share a screen, provide codes or give remote access.Remote access check
Helping someone elseI am supporting a parent, friend, senior or colleague and want a calm no-shame path.No-shame guide
Safety rule: If money is missing, contact your bank first. If anyone is unsafe or threatened, call 000. Do not share passwords, one-time codes, card numbers or ID details in these tools.
Stop.Check.Ask Your IT & Tech Mates.
Free local safety helperAre you buying or selling?
Tick what applies. The result gives simple next steps, a safer next action and a simple report you can copy.
Not sure where to start?
Choose I am not sure and answer the two safety questions. The helper will still give you a safe first step.
- Before you click or pay: stop and verify first.
- Already clicked, paid or shared a code: use Recovery Help and save evidence.
- Money or banking involved: call your bank first.
Simple guide
This page is both a free tool and a plain-English guide, so it is useful even if scripts are not running.
Step 2
Be careful with courier pickup stories, fake payment emails and pressure to refund.
Step 3
For buying, avoid deposits unless you can verify the seller and item.
Step 4
If you already paid, call your bank first and save screenshots.
Create a simple report
Fill in only what you are comfortable sharing. This creates an on-page report you can copy for your bank, ReportCyber, IDCARE, ATO, employer, family member or Your IT & Tech Mates.
Your details stay on this page.
We do not store your answers or report on our server. The details are cleared when you close or leave the page. Do not enter passwords, login codes, full card numbers or identity document numbers.
What should I use next?
Choose the helper that matches what happened: strange link, scam message, payment request, remote access warning or hacked account.
Scam SMS & Email Checker
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Recovery Help
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Payment Safety Checker
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Remote Access Scam Checker
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Secure My Accounts Checklist
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Business Email Safety Check
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Family Scam Check
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Scam Evidence Checklist
Open the related helper for the next safe step.
Free tool first, human help when needed
Want someone to check the device or accounts with you?
See the Scam Safety Help service for calm, hands-on device and account checks after a suspicious call, message, payment or remote-access incident.