If you are receiving scam phone calls or text messages, there are many things you can do to prevent scammers from continuing to contact you.

Blocking suspicious or unwanted calls and text messages

iPhones

Do you use an iPhone?  Make sure you’ve installed the latest version of the iOS operating system and you can ‘silence unknown callers’ in your phone settings. 

Any caller that’s not in your contacts list will be diverted to voicemail.  Listen to your voicemail, and if you decide the call is legitimate you can return the call, and perhaps add them to your contacts for future calls.

To block an individual number, go to the recent calls screen and press “i” for a number’s “information”.  There’s a block option at the bottom of that screen. That will block calls and text messages from that number.

To block someone who has texted, but not called you:

• Open their message … but don’t click on any links.
• Tap on their circular ‘headshot’ at the top of the screen.
• On the next screen, tap on ‘info’.
• On the ‘info’ screen, tap on ‘Block’.

That will block texts and calls from that source.

In the Apple App Store, you’ll find several apps that may assist in identifying and blocking scam calls.  Use the search term “call block” and “text block” to find some options.

Android phones

Is your phone a Samsung, or another Android brand?  Your recent calls list in the phone app may offer an option to block each number.  If you’ve had calls or a suspicious text from a number you don’t trust, consider blocking them.

In the Google Play Store, you’ll find several apps that may assist in identifying and blocking scam calls and texts.  Use the search term “call blocker” to find some options.

If you’re using the Google Messages app:

• Start Messages and open a message from a source that want to block … but don’t click on any links.
• Tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen.
• In the drop-down menu, tap ‘Details’.
• On the Details page, tap "Block & report spam’.
• On the pop-up that follows, choose whether you want to report the text messages as spam. If you do, check the box for ‘Report spam.’
• You can clear the checkbox if you don't want to report the messages.
• Tap ‘OK’ to block all future messages from this sender.

Taking further action towards scam calls or text messages

If you do receive a scam call or text message, you should consider taking action:

• by blocking the calling number, as explained above
• by contacting police immediately if you have been threatened or had your property stolen
• by contacting your financial institution immediately, if you believe your account/s have been compromised or you have made a payment to the scammer
• by immediately changing PINs, passcodes or passwords that might be at risk
• by contacting your Telco if you think your number has been stolen
• by reporting the scam call to ScamWatch – an initiative of the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) at www.scamwatch.gov.au

Reporting SMS and MMS scams

If you have received an SMS or MMS scam, you can forward the message to 7226 (SCAM).

Only scam messages should be sent to 7226; scam calls, spam calls, messages from legitimate businesses and spam messages will not be actioned.

To forward a message, follow the below steps:

iPhones

1. Ensure you don't click the link in the scam message
2. Touch and hold the message bubble you want to forward, then tap More.
3. Select additional text messages, if desired.
4. Tap Forward and enter a recipient. This is where you enter 7226.
5. Tap Send

Android phones

1. Ensure you don't click the link in the scam message
2. Tap and hold on to the message;
3. Tap on the three-dot menu button and hit Forward;
4. Select 7226 as the recipient who you want to forward the message to and hit Send SMS.

If you forward a message to 7226 and continue to receive the same messages into the future this indicates the message may be a legitimate text message from a legitimate brand.