Handle a threat or extortion call

Scammers phone posing as the ATO, police, immigration or the AFP, threatening arrest, deportation or fines unless you pay now. It’s a bluff.

1. Know that government agencies never demand immediate payment by phone, gift cards, crypto or transfer to a ’safe account’.
2. Stay calm under threats of arrest, deportation or a frozen account — the fear is the weapon.
3. Hang up; don’t engage, confirm details or follow instructions to stay on the line.
4. Don’t trust the number on screen — agencies’ caller IDs are easily spoofed.
5. Call the agency back on a number from their official website to check if anything is genuinely owed.
6. Report it to Scamwatch, and contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if you shared details or paid.