Urgent Centrelink warning is issued to Aussies - what you need to know
Cruel scammers are targeting vulnerable Australians by offering bogus Centrelink cost of living bonus payments of $890.
Cruel scammers are targeting vulnerable Australians by offering bogus Centrelink cost of living bonus payments of $890.
Services Australia has warned Aussies will have their personal data stolen if they fall victim to any of the several fake websites.
The websites are popping up online and on social media accounts and are being shared by unsuspecting residents who think the offer is genuine.
Typically the websites will offer what they claim are a one-off Centrelink cash relief payment or a bonus payment to help with the cost of living by the end of October.
Services Australia warned the scammers real goal was to steal personal information used to access the government services hub website, myGov.
They offer varying amounts of money, including $750 and $1,800. These payments dont exist, Services Australia said.
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Cruel scammers are targeting vulnerable Australians by offering bogus Centrelink cost of living bonus payments of $890
Some websites claim the payment is being made for other reasons including helping pensioners, low-income earners, people with disabilities and jobseekers.
To claim the payment, the websites offer a tool for people to check their eligibility status by entering their personal details.
This allows scammers to enter their victims myGov account and lock them out.
Services Australia warned there were multiple scams claiming to be Centrelink programs.
Another involves fraudsters impersonating Services Australia staff who call people demanding they urgently pay a debt.
The scammers tell victims they will arrested they dont pay straight away via bank transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Australians are urged to immediately hang up if contacted by someone making these claims.
Services Australia warned that scammers are trying to steal personal information to access web portal myGov
One sure way to spot fake websites is if the URL does not end in .gov.au.
The only genuine Services Australia and myGov websites are servicesaustralia.gov.au and my.gov.au, a Services Australia spokesman said.
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