Centrelink and Medicare warn Australians of new data scam risk
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Scams are on the rise in Australia, and it’s not just the 'oldies' who need to be on guard—these days, scammers are targeting everyone, from teens to retirees.
In fact, Services Australia has just issued a fresh warning about sophisticated new scams impersonating Centrelink, Medicare, and myGov.
They want every Australian—no matter their age—to be on high alert.
Let’s face it: scammers are getting smarter. Gone are the days of the obvious 'Nigerian prince' emails.
Now, fraudsters are using slick technology, fake websites, and even social media to trick people into handing over their most sensitive information.
And with so many of us relying on digital services for everything from banking to government payments, the risks are higher than ever.
Phishing is still the number one way scammers try to steal your details. This is when you get a text, email, or even a phone call that looks like it’s from a trusted source—like Centrelink, Medicare, or myGov—but it’s actually a fake.
These messages often urge you to 'act now' by clicking a link or providing your login details. Don’t fall for it!
Scammers are also popping up on social media, creating fake profiles and even joining private social media groups to offer 'help' with government services.
They might send you a private message or invite you to a live chat, pretending to be from Services Australia. Remember: real government agencies will never contact you this way.
To help keep your accounts safe, myGov has introduced a new security review feature.
When you log in, you might see pop-up messages with tips on how to make your account more secure—like using a passkey or Digital ID instead of a password.
These options are much harder for scammers to crack.
If you haven’t already, consider setting up a passkey or connecting your Digital ID to your myGov account.
Once you do, you can turn off password sign-in altogether, making it even tougher for criminals to access your information.
If you receive a suspicious message, don’t panic. Close it, don’t click any links, and check the official Services Australia website for scam alerts.
If you think you’ve given out your details to a scammer, contact the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm AEST/AEDT).
You can also report scam messages related to myGov, Centrelink, Medicare, or Child Support by emailing [email protected].
Scams can happen to anyone, but by staying informed and following these simple steps, you can make it much harder for scammers to succeed.
For more tips and the latest scam alerts, visit the Services Australia website.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam? What steps do you take to keep your information safe? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below—let’s help each other stay one step ahead of the scammers!
Read more: Are your Centrelink payments 'on hold'? Here's why you don't have to worry
In fact, Services Australia has just issued a fresh warning about sophisticated new scams impersonating Centrelink, Medicare, and myGov.
They want every Australian—no matter their age—to be on high alert.
Let’s face it: scammers are getting smarter. Gone are the days of the obvious 'Nigerian prince' emails.
Now, fraudsters are using slick technology, fake websites, and even social media to trick people into handing over their most sensitive information.
Scams were reported to be becoming more common and sophisticated in Australia, with people of all ages affected, not just older Australians. Credit: Depositphotos
And with so many of us relying on digital services for everything from banking to government payments, the risks are higher than ever.
Phishing is still the number one way scammers try to steal your details. This is when you get a text, email, or even a phone call that looks like it’s from a trusted source—like Centrelink, Medicare, or myGov—but it’s actually a fake.
These messages often urge you to 'act now' by clicking a link or providing your login details. Don’t fall for it!
Scammers are also popping up on social media, creating fake profiles and even joining private social media groups to offer 'help' with government services.
They might send you a private message or invite you to a live chat, pretending to be from Services Australia. Remember: real government agencies will never contact you this way.
To help keep your accounts safe, myGov has introduced a new security review feature.
When you log in, you might see pop-up messages with tips on how to make your account more secure—like using a passkey or Digital ID instead of a password.
These options are much harder for scammers to crack.
If you haven’t already, consider setting up a passkey or connecting your Digital ID to your myGov account.
If you receive a suspicious message, don’t panic. Close it, don’t click any links, and check the official Services Australia website for scam alerts.
If you think you’ve given out your details to a scammer, contact the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm AEST/AEDT).
You can also report scam messages related to myGov, Centrelink, Medicare, or Child Support by emailing [email protected].
Scams can happen to anyone, but by staying informed and following these simple steps, you can make it much harder for scammers to succeed.
For more tips and the latest scam alerts, visit the Services Australia website.
Read more: Are your Centrelink payments 'on hold'? Here's why you don't have to worry
