Omnicron
CybersecurityDifficulty: EasyEstimated time: 5 minutesUpdated

How to Report a Phishing Email

Report phishing to your email provider, your IT team and Australian authorities so others are protected too.

Why this matters

Reporting phishing helps your email provider block similar messages, lets your IT team protect colleagues, and gives Australian authorities the information they need to track scams. It takes a minute and is far better than simply deleting the email.

What you'll need

  • The suspicious email (do not delete it yet)

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Step 1

    Do not click, reply or open attachments

    Leave the email as it is. Replying confirms your address is active.

  2. Step 2

    Use the Report button in Outlook

    In Outlook or Outlook on the web, select the message and choose "Report" then "Report phishing" from the toolbar. In Gmail, open the message, select the three dots and choose "Report phishing".

  3. Step 3

    Tell your IT team at work

    If the email arrived in a work mailbox, let your IT provider know, especially if colleagues may have received it too. They can remove it from every mailbox.

  4. Step 4

    Report to Australian authorities

    Report scams to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). If you lost money or data, or a business was affected, report it through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.

  5. Step 5

    Report impersonated brands

    Many organisations have a dedicated scam reporting address listed on their official website, for example banks, Australia Post and the ATO.

  6. Step 6

    Delete the email

    Once reported, delete the message and empty your Deleted Items folder.

Summary

A quick report protects you, your colleagues and other Australians from the same scam.

Still Need Help?

Some IT problems are easier to solve with a professional. If you've followed the guide and still need help, the Omnicron team can assist.

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