There is a familiar interruption in many Australian households.

The phone rings during dinner, while watching television or just as the family is winding down for the evening. The number looks ordinary. Perhaps it is even a local landline.

You answer.

Silence.

Then someone begins speaking.

For many Australians, that short pause has become one of the clearest warning signs that the call may not be genuine.

Scam calls have become part of modern life. They claim to be from banks, internet providers, government agencies or security departments. Some suggest your account has been compromised. Others warn that your password must be changed immediately or your money is at risk.

Increasingly, Australians simply hang up.

The challenge is that scammers constantly change their tactics. Some begin with what sounds like a harmless survey or market research call. Others are polite, patient and well-trained, hoping to build trust over several conversations before attempting fraud.

Technology has made these criminals harder to detect. Telephone numbers can now be spoofed, making overseas callers appear to be calling from an ordinary Australian number.

Many Australians would welcome a simple "Report Scam Call" button built into every mobile phone. Rather than merely blocking a number, consumers could instantly notify their telecommunications provider that a number appears to be engaging in fraudulent activity.

Combined with artificial intelligence already being deployed by carriers, such reporting could help identify scam campaigns much earlier.

The battle against scams is becoming one of education as much as technology. Families are warning parents and grandparents, workplaces are teaching cyber awareness, and Australians are learning that it is perfectly acceptable to hang up on unexpected callers.

The Evening Times View

The evening should be a time to relax, not to question whether the next phone call is genuine. Technology companies, telecommunications providers and governments have all made progress, but giving Australians faster ways to report suspicious calls could make every household part of the solution.