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New rules for text messages

A change to help you spot scam text messages

From 1 July 2026, new industry rules apply to how business text messages appear on your phone. The changes are designed to help make it easier to tell if a message is from a trusted organisation – like your bank – or a scammer.

What's changing?

Businesses that send text messages using their name must register that name with the Australian Communications and Media Authority. That registered name is called a Sender ID.

A Sender ID is the name shown at the top of a text message (for example, “CommBank”)
Only businesses with a registered Sender ID will have their business name displayed
Messages from all other business senders will show as “Unverified”

These changes aim to reduce scam messages that impersonate well-known brands.

Note: This applies to SMS messages only. It doesn't apply to WhatsApp or iMessage.

What this means for you

If you receive a message marked “Unverified” or from a number you don't recognise:

Treat it with caution
Don’t click links or share personal details
Verify the message using a trusted source, like the business' official website. If it says it's from CommBank, you can check by messaging us in the CommBank app.

Messages from CommBank

We use registered Sender IDs so you can identify messages from us.

We use different Sender IDs across our products and services.

Our Sender IDs include:

CommBank
CBA
NetBank
CommSec
Bankwest
CommBiz

We'll never ask for passwords, passcodes, NetCodes, one-time passwords, PINs or your personal or sensitive details, including by SMS.

If you're unsure, contact us in the CommBank app or visit our website for more information.

What you need to do

You don’t need to do anything. This change took effect from 1 July 2026.

Stay protected

These new rules help improve safety, but it’s still important to stay alert.

Stop.

Could this be a scam?

If a call, email, text or social media post seems off, stop and take a breath so you can think clearly. Scammers often pressure you to act immediately.

Check.

Verify before you act

Contact the organisation via their official website or app.

Reject.

Take action to help protect yourself

If you’re unsure, hang up on the caller and block the number, or delete the email or message.

Suspect a scam?

Message us in the CommBank app 24/7 or call us on 13 2221. CommBiz customers can call 13 2339.