General News
24 June, 2025
ACCC warn residents of phone scams
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) is warning Australians to remain diligent following reports of scammers impersonating phone num-bers belonging to the ACCC.
The ACCC and the NASC (which operates under the ACCC) has become aware of scammers using publicly available ACCC phone numbers, listed on their official website, to steal personal information.
The organisations currently have two reported cases. One where the scammers claimed to be representatives of the ACCC and requested sensitive information over the phone and the other where scammers misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate an unrelated organisation and spoke in a language other than English.
According to NASC, this means the ACCC phone numbers have been “spoofed”, meaning scammers have disguised their numbers to look like another organisation to then ask for personal information.
They remind locals the ACCC and NASC will never:
Make calls from its reception numbers
Charge money for its services
Cold call or email to ask for your personal information like passwords, bank details or answers to security questions
Threaten or pressure you to stay on the line.
NASC warned locals to be wary of urgent requests where they’re pressured to act immediately, to not do anything if unsure, and to never click on links or download attachments unless from someone they trust.
According to a NASC report from earlier this year, Australians reported having lost $2.03 billion in 2024, decreasing by 25.9 percent from 2023.
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe wrote they were “cautiously optimistic” of the downward trend, hoping that the combined efforts of government, law enforcement, and industry would continue this going forward.
There was also 17.8 percent less scam reports made in 2024 from 601,803 in 2023 to 494,732.
“We are mindful that the harm caused by scams is not limited to financial loss. The impact on scam victims is all too often life changing, with negative effects on mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
NASC reminds locals that being scammed isn’t embarrassing. Instead residents are urged to contact their bank or card provider immediately and to report the scam to help others.
If you’ve been scammed or have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.