Impersonation Scams in Australia: Fake Bank Calls, myGov Texts and 'Hi Mum' Messages
Impersonation scams in Australia use trusted names to get your money or your logins. Fake bank fraud teams from CommBank, Westpac, NAB or ANZ call about a 'suspicious transaction' and talk you into moving funds to a 'safe account' or reading out a one-time code. Fake myGov and Centrelink texts and emails link to lookalike sign-in pages. And the 'Hi Mum' scam sends a WhatsApp or SMS from a new number claiming to be your child who's lost their phone and urgently needs a bill paid. Spoofed numbers and messages that appear in existing SMS threads make these scams hard to spot.
Real Scam Message Examples
These are real examples of messages used in this type of scam. If you receive something similar, do not click any links.
Example 1
“CommBank: A new device has been added to your NetBank. If this was not you, please call our fraud team immediately on 02 XXXX XXXX.”
Example 2
“myGov: You have a new message regarding your Centrelink payment. Sign in to review: mygov-secure-au.com”
Example 3
“Hi Mum, it's me. I dropped my phone in the toilet, this is my new number. Can you help me pay a bill? I'm locked out of my banking app until tomorrow.”
Warning Signs of an Impersonation Scam in Australia
- ⚠Your 'bank' asks you to move money to a new or 'safe' account to protect it
- ⚠You're asked to read out a one-time passcode, or to install remote-access software like AnyDesk
- ⚠A myGov, Centrelink or Medicare message contains a link to sign in or 'update your details'
- ⚠A family member messages from a new number saying they lost their phone and need money urgently
- ⚠The message appears in the same SMS thread as genuine messages from your bank or a government service
How Does This Scam Work?
- 1A text, email or call impersonates a bank, myGov, Centrelink, Medicare or a family member — often with a spoofed number
- 2The message creates alarm: an unauthorised login, a payment problem, or a child in trouble
- 3You're sent to a lookalike login page, or a caller walks you through 'securing' your account
- 4You hand over passwords and one-time codes, install remote-access apps, or transfer money to a 'safe account' or a 'new payee'
- 5Funds are moved out quickly, and your details may be used for identity theft
Legitimate vs Scam: How to Tell the Difference
| Aspect | ✓ Legitimate | ✗ Scam |
|---|---|---|
| Safe accounts | Banks never ask you to move money to protect it | Tells you to transfer savings to a 'safe account' |
| myGov | myGov won't send you a link to sign in — you go to my.gov.au yourself | Email or SMS with a sign-in link |
| Codes & access | Your bank will never ask for a one-time code or remote access to your device | Asks you to read a code or install AnyDesk/TeamViewer |
| Family requests | A real relative can confirm by a voice call on their known number | Refuses to call, pushes for an urgent transfer to someone else's account |
What Should You Do?
- ✓Hang up and call your bank on the number on the back of your card or in its official app
- ✓Sign in to myGov only by typing my.gov.au or using the myGov app — never via a link in a message
- ✓Paste the suspicious message into ScamCheck for an instant verdict
- ✓For a 'Hi Mum' message, call your family member on their old number before sending anything
- ✓Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and, if money was lost, your bank and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au). IDCARE (1800 595 160) can help if your identity was compromised
Free Tool
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Check it now — it's free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does myGov send texts or emails with links?
No. Services Australia says myGov will never send you an email or SMS with a link to sign in. Any myGov message with a sign-in link is a scam — go to my.gov.au yourself or use the myGov app.
My bank called about a suspicious transaction — how do I know it's real?
Hang up and call your bank back on the number on your card or in its app. Banks will never ask you to move money to a safe account, share a one-time code, or install remote-access software.
What is the 'Hi Mum' scam?
A scammer messages from an unknown number pretending to be your child or relative who has lost or broken their phone, then asks you to urgently pay a bill or transfer money. Always call the person on their known number before paying.
Who do I report impersonation scams to in Australia?
Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, contact your bank immediately and report via ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. For identity-theft support, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
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