The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says phone scams have been growing in prevalence since it launched a review 18 months ago into how to better combat the problem.
Authorities are predicting phone scams will leave Australians a record $500 million out of pocket this year alone, prompting the Federal Government to announce a crackdown.
Professor David Lacey from the charity IDCARE, which supports victims of cyber and identity crime, says scam calls could have "devastating" effects on Australians, with some losing life savings.
"They're convinced to provide remote access to their device because there might be a scam impersonating a bank saying their email account has been hacked," Professor Lacey said.