Reporting Cybercrime

Cybercrime is an issue which already affects many Australians.  As our use of technology increases, so do the frequency and scale of cybercrime. Fortunately, there are some straightforward steps you can take to protect yourself from cybercrime and to report a cybercrime to police.

What is a Cybercrime?

A cybercrime is a criminal offence using computers or electronic devices. This includes:

• Attacks on computer systems and viruses
• Cyber-bullying, sexting, online harassment or stalking
• Email spam and phishing
• Identity theft
• Prohibited offensive and illegal content
• Online child sexual abuse material
• Online scams or fraud
• Issues buying and selling online

You can protect yourself by learning how to recognise and prevent cybercrime.

Find out more about the different types of cybercrime.

How to report a Cybercrime

If you are a victim of a cybercrime, you should report the matter quickly via Report Cyber, so that it can be referred to the right law enforcement agency to investigate. Reporting a cybercrime online via ACSC is simple. You will need to answer some questions about what happened - these should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

What happens after you report a Cybercrime

Once you submit a report via the ACSC , it will be assessed to decide whether it should be referred to law enforcement agencies for possible investigation. Whether your report gets referred to law enforcement depends on several things, including the type and severity of the incident, where the suspect is located and whether the report contains enough information about the offender. Every report submitted to the ACSC is treated seriously and contributes to our understanding of cybercrime trends affecting Australians.

Protecting against Cybercrime

Protecting yourself against cybercrime doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some simple guidelines to make you a tougher target for cybercriminals.

• Keep your computer up to date with the latest patches and security software
• Keep your computer and internet browser configured securely
• Choose strong passwords and keep them safe
• Don’t give out personal information over the phone or internet
• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unrecognised transactions

Learn more about protecting yourself online with these helpful resources:

ACSC

Stay Smart Online