Text or SMS scams are everywhere these days. It might be a fake message from your bank, a parcel courier, or even myGov. They often contain a link, which leads to a web page asking for your personal details or payment information. These messages are getting more sophisticated, too, and differentiating the scams from the real deal is getting harder and harder.
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is launching a new system that aims to protect everyday Aussies from fake texts and SMSs. It's called the SMS Sender ID Register.
Here's what you need to know.
First, what's a sender ID?
When a business texts you, you'll see its name at the top of the message instead of a mobile number. Think AusPost or your bank's name. That name is the sender ID.
Here's the problem. Your phone groups messages by that name. A scammer who copies a brand's sender ID can send a fake text that appears in the exact same thread as the genuine ones. Their lie about a ‘suspended account’ or ‘fee’ that's overdue appears right under last month's very real delivery update.
What changes on 1 July 2026
From the beginning of July, organisations sending branded texts in Australia must have their sender ID registered and approved by the ACMA. Telcos will check incoming messages against that register.
You might notice:
- Texts from unregistered senders being labelled ‘Unverified’
- Legitimate businesses progressively appearing under approved sender IDs
- Impersonating a trusted brand name becoming far more difficult for criminals
Why does this help?
Scams depend on you trusting the name on your screen. The register gives telcos a way to check that name against an approved list, helping prevent scammers from using a trusted business or organisation’s name on a message and having it sail through to your phone.
Why scammers love texting you
Texts work brutally well for criminals. They're cheap to send in bulk, and they reach you in seconds. And if you're like most people, you actually read your text messages (unlike your junk emails). Common impersonation targets include banks, delivery companies, telcos, and government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The script is familiar. A problem with your account. A missed parcel. An unpaid toll. Then a link, then a request for your details or a payment.
The whole con requires you to believe that the message came from who it claims. The register attacks this vulnerability head-on.
What to watch for
The register is a great step in the right direction. That said, your habits are still the best way to protect yourself against scams.
Here's what to do and why:
- Treat ‘Unverified’ texts with extra caution. Be especially wary of any asking for passwords, verification codes, personal details, or payment information. Genuine businesses will appear under approved names as time passes. If you see an ‘Unverified’ sender ID, take caution and double check before acting.
- Slow down and take a pause when a message pushes urgency. Deadlines and ‘act now’ language exist to rush you past your own judgement. Remind yourself that there's no real emergency. Take a minute or two to review the message and who it's from before taking any sort of action.
- Verify requests through official channels. Ring the number on the back of your card or log in through the official app. That way, you can check the legitimacy of the message with the business or organisation itself.
- Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts. Log in via your usual channels or visit the organisation's official website. A real bank or company won't mind waiting. Again, there's no rush.
Finally, remember that an approved sender ID means the sender registered with the ACMA. Yes, it's a helpful signal, but it's never a stamp of total safety. Scammers adapt. They're clever, and they'll test new tricks the moment these rules roll out across the country.
Talk to your family about it
Older relatives and teenagers are targeted by scammers. Unfortunately, they're also the most likely to believe seemingly urgent or official-looking messages. So, spend a few minutes catching your family members up to speed:
- Explain that some texts will soon say ‘Unverified’ and what that label means.
- Share examples of verified and unverified messages so the difference is obvious in advance.
- Agree on a family rule: any text asking for money or codes gets checked with you first.
The bottom line
The SMS Sender ID Register is a big win for Australians. From 1 July 2026, you'll have an extra, visible clue about whether a business text is real, and scammers lose one of their favourite disguises.
Still, no single safeguard can put an end to scams for good. Continue to question unexpected messages and verify anything suspicious through official channels you trust.
Good habits plus the new register? That combination can help reduce your risk against increasingly sophisticated scams.