Urgent Centrelink warning is issued to Aussies – and it’s incredibly easy to fall victim to a sick scam
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 don’t exist,’ Services Australia said.
‘You might know this as clickbait. Clickbait is usually misleading and made to get your attention.’
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 victim’s 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 don’t 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.
‘We’ll always let you know when there are changes to any of our payments or services.
‘We’ll let you know on our official website and official social media channels.’
