Use it before you act
Paste suspicious wording from an SMS, email, pop-up, marketplace message, PayID request, toll notice, parcel notice or invoice change.
Free Australia scam safety tool
Check suspicious messages before you click.
Paste the suspicious wording only. The checker looks for common scam patterns, explains the risk in plain English, and gives safer next steps for Australian families, staff and small businesses.
Scam Help helps Australians choose the right next step before they click, before they pay, after they click, or when they need to report.
Important: this checker gives general guidance only and cannot guarantee accuracy. When in doubt, do not click, reply, pay or install anything.
Hi Mum / new numberInvoice changedPayID buyerVirus popup
Best for checking:
- Parcel, toll and delivery SMS
- Bank, ATO, myGov or PayID messages
- Fake invoice or business email changes
- Remote access, job, marketplace and crypto scams
Privacy rule: do not paste passwords, banking codes, card numbers, licence details, Medicare details or identity documents.
Before you check
Use this page as a tool and a quick guide.
The checker is for the moment before someone clicks, replies, pays or installs something. It helps you slow down, check the warning signs, and choose a safer next step.
Remove private details first
Do not paste passwords, banking codes, card numbers, account numbers, Medicare details, licence details or identity documents.
Move to recovery if needed
If you already clicked, paid, gave a code, entered a password or installed remote access, use Recovery Help for safer next steps.
Quick scam safety check
How do I know if an SMS or email is a scam?
Treat the message as unsafe if it pressures you to click a link, enter a password or code, pay urgently, scan a QR code, install remote access software, change invoice bank details, accept a PayID buyer story, trust a new family number, take a WhatsApp job, invest in crypto, or verify a bank, myGov, ATO, toll, parcel or PayID account through a message link.
Safest action
Do not click the message link. Open the official app or type the company website yourself.
If you already clicked
Do not enter more details. Change passwords from a safe device if you entered login details.
If money or remote access is involved
Contact your bank quickly, stop using the affected device for banking, and book cleanup help.
Australia scam reporting
Report serious scams through official Australian channels.
If you lost money, gave personal details, installed remote access software or think your accounts are at risk, report it and act quickly.
When to get help now
Already clicked, paid or installed something?
You entered a password
Change the password from a safe device and review account security.
You paid or gave card details
Contact your bank immediately, then book scam cleanup help.
You installed remote access
Stop using the device for banking until it has been checked.
Scam Help
Read short Australian scam guides.
Use these short guides to help family, friends, staff and neighbours recognise common scam messages before they click.
Already clicked, paid or gave a code?
Already clicked or shared something? Start here.
If someone installed remote access, entered banking details, gave a login code, is locked out, or thinks an account/device has been hacked, open the Recovery Helper. It gives your first 5 actions, account checks, who to contact next and a copyable recovery report.
Common questions
Scam checker questions people ask.
Can this prove something is safe?
No. It gives general guidance only. If money, identity details or accounts are involved, use official apps, known phone numbers and trusted websites.
What if I already clicked?
Stop entering details. If you gave a password, code, card details or installed remote access, open Recovery Help and follow the first actions.
When should I call local tech help?
Call if the device has pop-ups, remote access was installed, email is acting strangely, or you need help checking account settings and two-step login.
Local scam and account safety help
Built for Melbourne North homes, seniors and small businesses.
Your IT & Tech Mates can help with scam message checks, remote access scam cleanup, malware checks, email account safety, password reset support, two-step login setup, business invoice scam prevention and safe next-step support.
EppingSouth MorangMill ParkMerndaDoreenThomastownBundooraReservoirMelbourne North