TL;DR: The ACMA says that from July 1, 2026, texts from branded sender IDs, the name at the top of a message such as “AusPost” or “myGov”, must be registered on the SMS Sender ID Register. Texts from unregistered branded senders will show “Unverified” instead of the brand name and will be grouped with messages from other unregistered senders, including potential scams.

👉 Check my digital footprint — free 30-second check →

What happened

The ACMA article (MR 16/2026) urges small businesses and community groups, such as dentists, GPs, solicitors, schools, childcare centres and franchisees, to act before the change. Branded sender IDs are used for marketing, appointment scheduling and billing.

The ACMA says some small and medium organisations may not realise the rules apply to them, and telcos and messaging providers are expected to help business customers register before the deadline.

Why it works

Fake sender names that join a genuine message thread were a key trick behind many text scams. A register lets legitimate senders prove who they are, but only if they sign up.

Honest businesses that forget to register will also look “Unverified”, so the label is a prompt to check, not proof of a scam.

Background: our explainers on smishing and caller ID spoofing. See also ACMA Q1 2026: 109.3M Scam Calls Blocked, Lycamobile Penalised and Scamwatch: Fake Amazon and YouTube Recruiter Job Texts. For wider numbers, see our data page on how scams start (contact methods).

What consumers and businesses can do

If you have already sent money

Contact your bank immediately, report the scam to Scamwatch and through ReportCyber, and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if your identity may be at risk. Our guides on the Scamwatch and IDCARE recovery process, Australian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes on July 1, 2026?

Texts from branded sender IDs must be registered on the SMS Sender ID Register or they will show “Unverified” instead of the brand name.

Does “Unverified” mean a scam?

Not always. Legitimate businesses that have not registered will also show as unverified, so check with the business directly.

Who is affected?

Organisations using branded SMS, including small businesses and community groups such as dentists, GPs, solicitors, schools and childcare centres.

What should I do with an “Unverified” text?

Be cautious, do not click links, and contact the business directly if you expect a message from it.

Sources

Related Reading