A fake "age verification required" message exploits Australia's under-16 social media law to steal ID
Scammers send fake age-verification requests claiming platforms or government need ID documents to comply with Australia's under-16 social media law. They steal identity data or charge fees to 'lift account suspensions', sell fake verified accounts, or threaten government fines if families don't immediately provide ID or payment.
Also known as: fake age verification scam Australia, social media age restriction scam, under-16 social media fine scam, fake eSafety age verification, fake verified social media account
Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes
- 1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
- 2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
- 3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.
What to do right now
- 1 Age verification prompts from real platforms appear inside the official app only — never click a link in a text or email about age verification
- 2 Government fines for social media age violations are issued through formal written channels, never by SMS or pop-up
- 3 No government agency will text or email you demanding ID photos or payment to comply with the social media laws
- 4 If your child was asked to verify age, guide them to do so only through the platform's official app or website settings
- 5 If you shared ID documents with a scam site, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 immediately for identity recovery support
- 6 Report to Scamwatch at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam or ReportCyber at https://www.cyber.gov.au/report.
Red flags
- ⚠ A text, email, or in-app notification demands you verify your age via a link or your account will be deleted — real platforms prompt age confirmation within their own app, never by SMS to a third-party site
- ⚠ A message claims your under-16 child has violated the social media laws and threatens a government fine unless you provide ID or payment immediately
- ⚠ An offer to obtain a 'fully verified' social media account for a fee for a young person who wants to stay on the platform
- ⚠ A request for a photo of your driver's licence, passport, or Medicare card to be uploaded to a site that is not the actual social media platform
Sources
- Scamwatch — Scam alert: social media minimum age scams (June 2026)
- WA Government — New social media age restriction opens door to scams
- The Senior — Social media ban scams: Parents warned of fake fines and texts (2026)
- Choice — Five sophisticated scams to watch out for in 2026 (October 2026)
- WA Consumer Protection Commissioner — Social media ban scams advisory (October 2026)