Scams, Fraud & Money Recovery
After a scam in Australia: report via ReportCyber (AFP) and Scamwatch (ACCC NASC), claim a refund under the ePayments Code, and escalate free to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
Covered in this guide:
Australia's scam-recovery system runs across three institutions. ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au is the single national reporting channel run jointly by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) at the ACCC, is the scam-intelligence and consumer-warning hub. For bank refunds, the ePayments Code — voluntary but adopted by all major Australian banks — sets unauthorised-transaction rules. If the bank refuses, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) resolves disputes for free; AFCA decisions up to AUD 1,236,000 (since 1 November 2024) are binding on the firm if you accept.
Emergency: 000.
Key Laws
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) Part 10.7 — Computer Offences
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) Division 477–478
Australian federal cybercrime framework. Unauthorised access (s.478.1), unauthorised modification (s.477.2), unauthorised impairment (s.477.3), identity-related offences (Part 9.5). Penalties up to 10 years (modification of data with intent to commit serious offence: life imprisonment in some serious cases).
ePayments Code (ASIC)
ASIC ePayments Code (latest revision 2022)
Voluntary code adopted by all major Australian banks. Sets rules on disclosure, unauthorised-transaction liability, mistaken internet payments. Customer liability for unauthorised transactions capped at AUD 150 unless contributory negligence by customer (sharing of PIN, etc.).
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) — Operations under ASIC Act and AFCA Rules
Established under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First — Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Act 2018
External Dispute Resolution scheme for Australian financial services. Free for consumers. Compensation cap AUD 1,236,000 from 1 November 2024 (most categories). Decisions binding on firm if accepted by complainant.
First 24 Hours After Being Scammed
Three jobs in parallel. Call your bank's fraud line — under the ePayments Code, the bank must investigate unauthorised electronic transactions and reimburse where the customer did not contribute to th...
Reporting Cybercrime via ReportCyber and Scamwatch
Australia uses a single national portal for cybercrime reporting: ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au, jointly operated by AFP and ACSC. Reports route to state / territory police for investigation. The statut...
Recovering Money from an Australian Bank via AFCA
Australia's money-recovery framework is two-step. Step 1: Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR). The bank must investigate and respond within 30 days for most complaints under ASIC RG 271. Under the ePaym...