The "police" or "a court" is calling me: the fake officer scam

The "police" or "a court" is calling me: the fake officer scam

A serious voice says it's the Australian Federal Police, your state police, a court or the ATO. Your name, your tax file number or your bank account has turned up in a drug, money-laundering or identity-fraud investigation. There's a warrant out, your accounts are about to be frozen, and the only way to sort it out is to do exactly as they say, right now, without telling anyone. It's frightening, and that's the point. Australian police and courts don't phone you to demand payment, ask you to move your money to a "safe account" or tell you to keep it secret from your bank. Here's how to recognise the scam and what to do.

How does the fake police or fake court scam work?

The details change, but the steps are almost always the same:

1. The contact. A call (often a recorded message: "press 1 to speak to an officer"), a text, or a WhatsApp message with a supposed court notice. Caller ID can be spoofed to show a number that looks official; that proves nothing.
2. The accusation. Your identity has been used in serious crimes, a parcel in your name has been seized at the border, you owe tax, or you've missed a court date. They often know your name, address or date of birth, taken from data breaches, to sound credible.
3. The pressure. Immediate arrest, frozen accounts, a criminal record, deportation if you're on a visa. They transfer you to a "senior detective", "prosecutor" or "magistrate" and may send documents with crests and stamps.
4. The secrecy. You mustn't hang up or tell anyone, not your family and not your bank, because the case is "confidential" or "the bank staff are involved".
5. The payment. Move your savings to a "safe account" or "holding account", pay a fine or bail by bank transfer or PayID, buy gift cards or crypto, install a remote-access app, or read out the codes your bank texts you.

There are variants with supposed Interpol officers or police from another country (a common one targets international students and recent migrants in their own language), or a fake bank employee who "transfers you to the police". The goal is always your money or access to your accounts.

How do I know the call is fake?

• They ask for money, gift cards, crypto or transfers. Real police don't collect fines or bail over the phone.
• They want you to move money to a "safe account". No police force, court or bank will ever ask you to do this.
• They demand secrecy, especially from your bank or family.
• They threaten immediate arrest unless you act during the call.
• They ask for passwords, one-time codes or remote access to your phone or computer.
• They won't let you hang up and call back. A real officer has no problem with you checking.
• Documents arrive by WhatsApp or email with stamps and logos. Anyone can copy a logo.

What do I do if they're calling right now?

1. Hang up. It isn't rude and it isn't a crime. You don't owe the caller anything.
2. Don't pay, don't move money and don't give any codes, however urgent it sounds.
3. Check independently. Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 (in most states) or your local police station, using a number you looked up yourself, not one the caller gave you. For the AFP, use the contact details on the AFP website. For a tax claim, log into myGov yourself or call the ATO on the number on its official website.
4. Call 000 only for a real emergency, such as someone being at your door claiming to collect money.
5. Block the number and report it in the spam numbers directory.

What if I've already paid or given my details?

Don't blame yourself: this script is designed to override clear thinking with fear. Act now:

1. Call your bank on the number on the back of your card or in its app. Explain that you were scammed by someone impersonating police and ask them to stop or recall the transfers and lock your accounts if needed.
2. If you shared one-time codes, passwords or installed an app, tell your bank, uninstall the app and change your passwords from a different device.
3. If you gave identity details (driver licence, passport, Medicare card, tax file number), contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160. They'll help you work out which documents to replace and how to protect yourself from identity theft. If your tax file number was involved, tell the ATO as well.
4. Keep everything: numbers, call times, messages, documents they sent and payment receipts.

Where do I report it?

• Police: report the scam online through ReportCyber, via the AFP's cybercrime page, or call 131 444. Impersonating police is a crime in its own right.
• Scamwatch: report it so the National Anti-Scam Centre can warn others.
• Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) if you have information about who's behind it and want to share it anonymously.
• Your phone provider, if the calls keep coming.

Frequently asked questions

The number on the screen was the police's. How can it be fake? Caller ID spoofing lets scammers display any number, including a real police or government number. The only safe check is to hang up and call back on a number you looked up yourself.

Can the police phone me? Yes, police do sometimes call, for example about a report you made or as a witness. But they won't ask for money, gift cards, crypto or codes, won't ask you to move funds, and won't object to you hanging up and calling the station back.

What if I really do have an unpaid fine or a court date? Then it will show up through official channels: the state fines agency, the court registry, or a letter or notice in your name. Check by contacting them directly, never through a link or number from the call.

They called and I hung up without giving anything. Should I do anything else? No damage done. Block the number, report it and warn family members, especially older relatives or anyone new to Australia, who are often targeted.

In short

A call threatening arrest unless you pay or move your money is not the police. Hang up, check on a number you found yourself, and never move funds to a "safe account". If you've already paid, call your bank straight away, report it through ReportCyber and Scamwatch, and contact IDCARE if your identity documents are involved. And report the number in the NoCall spam numbers directory so others know to hang up.