Scammers are flipping the script with an emerging tactic known as ‘callback’ scams. Instead of calling you out of the blue, they send messages that prompt you to call a number they control.
Crims are cutting the small talk and sending bare scam links
Scammers are skipping the chatter and cutting to the chase sending a wave of scam gambling messages that only include a link.
Darren Pauli · 10 November 2026 · 3 minute read
These so-called scambling messages attempt to lure people to place bets on fake online betting websites with promises of free spins, bonus bets, and favourable odds.
The flashy websites simulate the look and feel of illegal online betting sites with a variety of games and poker machines, features to place bets, and bank accounts showing balances, deposits, and winnings.
But it is all a ruse. Any winnings are fake, with money deposited into the sites being stolen alongside personal information that is requested for people to create accounts.
These so-called scambling sites have become the most prolific form of scam Telstra has seen in its scam blocking technology in recent months.
How are scammers changing their tactics?
Telstra’s Cleaner Pipes scam blocking system prevented scores of illegal and scam gambling messages from hitting customer phones in October.
Of those, more than half contained text attempting to lure people with promises like bonus bets and free spins.
But scammers are experimenting. Telstra blocked the same amount of illegal and scam gambling messages that contained only a URL to the scam sites without the typical lures about free spins and bonus bets.
Telstra Cleaner Pipes experts say scammers continue to experiment changing their messages and tactics in a bid to get through to Australians.
All told, Cleaner Pipes blocked more than 10 million SMS in October.
Of these, Telstra blocked troves of call back scams during the month. Here, scammers are impersonating major organisations and financial institutions in text messages with fake information and warnings about transactions and bills with a bogus phone number for people to call to address the confected issues.
Calls made to those numbers are answered by scammers who continue their ruse to convince people to hand over financial and personal information which is then stolen.
Telstra blocked thousands of text message scams containing call back requests.
How can you protect yourself from scam messages?
The best advice for scams is for people to remain cautious about any unexpected messages, no matter how legitimate the sender appears to be or what the message contains.
Reach out to organisations using verified official contact information or use their official apps to verify account information and notifications.
You can engage with Telstra directly and verify account information and bills using the My Telstra app.
Help is available
If gambling or fraud has caused you harm or financial stress, free and confidential help is available.
National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007
By Darren Pauli
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From SMS to DMs: Our latest data shows scammers are moving potential victims from SMS and to encrypted messaging apps which often can’t be scanned or filtered for suspicious activity in the same way telco scam-blocking tech can detect and block scams. Here’s what Aussies need to know.
