Bye-Bye, Text Imposters
We’ve all received a scam text that looks perfectly real. It sits right in the exact same chat thread as your genuine messages from Australia Post or your bank, making it incredibly easy to fall for. This tactic is called SMS spoofing, and it’s a favourite tool for scammers looking to steal your cash or passwords. But starting 1 July 2026, a new rule from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is going to make spotting these scams a whole lot easier.
The Big Change: The “Unverified” Tag
The name at the top of a business text is called a Sender ID (e.g., MyGov or Optus). Previously, scammers could easily fake these names to trick your phone.
Under the new rules, every business must officially register their brand name to use it. If a scammer tries to fake a brand name—or if a business hasn’t registered—the phone networks will catch it. Instead of showing the fake brand name, the text will simply display as: “Unverified”.
You don’t need to change any settings or download an app; this update happens automatically on July 1st. However, scammers will still try to find workarounds, so keep these security rules in mind:
•Treat “Unverified” as a red flag: If a text is marked unverified, do not trust it.
•Never tap the link: If an unverified text claims your account is locked, do not click the link. Open your browser or official app and log in directly to check.
•Watch the blind spots: This registry only covers traditional SMS and MMS. Scammers will likely pivot to platforms like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Signal where these rules don’t apply.
Need a Hand Hardening Your Tech Security?
While the government is fixing the SMS network, keeping the rest of your business tech and data secure from hackers is still up to you. If you want to make sure your systems, passwords, and devices are locked down tightly against modern threats, head over to The Mac Mechanic. We specialise in straightforward, jargon-free tech support and security audits to help you stay ahead of the scammers.
The easiest way to stay safe? Look for the tag. If it says Unverified, keep your guard up!