Have you ever received a text message from a business like ‘AusPost’ or the ‘ATO’ and wondered if it was real? From 1 July 2026, there will be new rules to protect you from scammers who use text messages to pretend to be a business.
What is changing?
Sender IDs
A “sender ID” is the business name that appears at the top of a text message, instead of a phone number.
From 1 July 2026, only registered businesses will be allowed to use a branded sender ID with their business name at the top of the text. This means that if you get a message from a business name you recognise at the top, you can trust that it is from them.
These changes will happen automatically on your phone, so you do not need to do anything.
Watch out for ‘Unverified’ messages
From 1 July 2026, you might get text or SMS from an ‘Unverified’ sender ID.
This could be a scammer, or it might just be a real business that hasn’t registered their name yet. If you get an ‘Unverified’ message, and you are not sure:
- Do not reply to the message.
- Do not click on any links in the text.
- Do not give out any personal details or money.
Messages from phone numbers and apps
It is important to know that these changes only apply to text or SMS messages messages.
- Phone numbers: The changes are made to protect you from scammers using business sender IDs, not phone numbers. If you get a text from an unknown number, remember to be careful!
- Messaging apps: The rules do not apply to apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, or Facebook Messenger. Scammers can still try to trick you on these apps, so always check these messages carefully.
Tip: If you think you have been scammed, use this guide to help you find the right supports.
Learn more
This article is a summary of the new changes posted on the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Learn more about these changes on their website.