What is ReportCyber?
On 30 June 2019, the ACIC’s Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) system transitioned to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s ReportCyber, an online platform for reporting cybercrimes.
Any member of the community or business can report a cybercrime on ReportCyber.
What is cybercrime?
Cybercrimes are crimes that are directed at computers or other devices, where the device is integral to an offence. The effect of cybercrime on victims is not always financial, and can often threaten privacy.
An attack on a computer system can occur in many ways, the most common of which include:
- Unauthorised access or hacking: When a person gains access to your computer without permission. Usually they will change passwords to prevent you from accessing email, banking or social media accounts.
- Malware: This is software used to monitor your activity and can be downloaded in emails or through suspicious links. The software can take the form or a virus, worm, spyware, trojan or bot.
- Denial of service attacks: These attacks do not generally involve access to computer systems but rather aim to flood a computer or website with data so that it overloads and fails to function properly.
- Ransomware: Harmful software is placed on a computer which results in loss of data or prevents you from accessing files and programs unless payment is made.
What can be reported at ReportCyber?
Some of the most common types of cybercrimes reported include:
- Cyber abuse– someone is bullying, harassing or stalking you online.
- Online image abuse– someone has shared or is threatening to share intimate images or videos of you online.
- Online shopping fraud or romance fraud – you have been deceived into sending money or goods to someone online.
- Identity theft – someone has used your personal or business identity information and accessed your online accounts.
- Email compromise – you received an email containing fraudulent information that deceived you to send money.
- Internet fraud – you have clicked on a phishing link or given someone remote access to a computer or device, and money may have been taken from your accounts.
- Ransomware or malware – your system or devices have been compromised and someone may be demanding money.
How to report a cybercrime
Cybercrimes can be reported on the ReportCyber website.
You will be asked to select whether you are reporting as:
- An individual.
- A small or medium business.
- An organisation or critical infrastructure organisation.
- A government department or agency.
What to expect after reporting
Your report will be passed to law enforcement for assessment and intelligence purposes. You may be contacted by the police if additional information is required.
While not all reports are investigated, your report assists to disrupt cybercrime operations and prevent others from falling victim to the same issue.
ReportCyber states that it is unlikely that lost money will be recovered, and therefore advises you to immediately contact your bank or any other institution that you used to transfer money, such as PayPal.
You will receive a ReportCyber receipt that has your unique Report Reference Number. You can provide this number to financial institutions or other organisations as proof that a report has been submitted. You can also download a copy of your report details for your records.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) will be unable to advise on the progress of a report as it will be referred directly to police for assessment.
If you have already lodged a report, you can check the status on the ReportCyber website.
When not to use ReportCyber
You should not use ReportCyber when:
- There is already a court order against the suspect.
- A physical crime has been committed, such as your credit card or computer being stolen.
- You have received a scam call and no loss of personal information or money has occurred.
Instead you should review ReportCyber’s Recover and get help page to see what other options are available.
