Centrelink warns customers about new 'bonus payment' scheme
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In today's digital age, where convenience and speed often take precedence, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of unexpected windfalls.
However, it's crucial to stay vigilant, especially regarding offers that seem too good to be true.
This cannot be stressed enough, particularly in light of a recent scam targeting Centrelink customers with a tempting lure that may cause distress.
Services Australia issued an urgent warning about a scam circulating that promised customers an $1800 'Centrelink' payment.
'They may encourage you to read about a new "one-off" or "bonus" payment by clicking a link,' Services Australia said.
This scam has been available through 'unofficial websites' that disseminate false information about a supposed bonus payment for Age Pension recipients.
The scam may include the phrase: '$1800 extra Australia pension coming', followed by prompts such as 'Who is eligible?' and 'Fact check about payment dates'.
Customers are enticed to open the scam link to 'check their eligibility'; however, the too-good-to-be-true payment does not exist.
'Only trust http://servicesaustralia.gov.au and http://my.gov.au for official information about our payments,' the agency reiterated.
Unfortunately, some believed these links were genuine and fell for the scam.
This is why it's imperative to double-check the sources of such information.
'If the website URL doesn't end in ".gov.au", it is not an official government website,' Services Australia stated.
'We will 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 social media channels.'
Scams impersonating Services Australia representatives are also on the rise, as scammers pretend to be employees from myGov and Medicare.
It's a reminder to all of us to be cautious about where we get our information and to be sceptical of any offers that come our way.
The statistics from Scamwatch were sobering—Australians have already lost $92 million to scams within the first five months of the year.
In 2023, Aussies lost a staggering $2.74 billion to scams alone.
These numbers are not just figures; they represent the hard-earned money of individuals, many of whom cannot afford such losses.
We urge everyone to exercise caution and educate themselves about these scams.
Always verify the source of any emails or notifications regarding payments.
Do not click on unauthorised links or provide personal information unless you are certain of the legitimacy of the request.
You can contact Services Australia for confirmation if you encounter suspicious activity or are unsure about the authenticity of a Centrelink message.
You can also get warnings about the latest scams at the SDC Forum's Scam Watch section.
Have you received this dubious message about a bonus payment? We invite you to share your experiences and tips on staying safe from scams in the comments below.
However, it's crucial to stay vigilant, especially regarding offers that seem too good to be true.
This cannot be stressed enough, particularly in light of a recent scam targeting Centrelink customers with a tempting lure that may cause distress.
Services Australia issued an urgent warning about a scam circulating that promised customers an $1800 'Centrelink' payment.
'They may encourage you to read about a new "one-off" or "bonus" payment by clicking a link,' Services Australia said.
This scam has been available through 'unofficial websites' that disseminate false information about a supposed bonus payment for Age Pension recipients.
Centrelink warned users about a new scam making rounds. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rose Marinelli
The scam may include the phrase: '$1800 extra Australia pension coming', followed by prompts such as 'Who is eligible?' and 'Fact check about payment dates'.
Customers are enticed to open the scam link to 'check their eligibility'; however, the too-good-to-be-true payment does not exist.
'Only trust http://servicesaustralia.gov.au and http://my.gov.au for official information about our payments,' the agency reiterated.
Unfortunately, some believed these links were genuine and fell for the scam.
This is why it's imperative to double-check the sources of such information.
'If the website URL doesn't end in ".gov.au", it is not an official government website,' Services Australia stated.
'We will 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 social media channels.'
Scams impersonating Services Australia representatives are also on the rise, as scammers pretend to be employees from myGov and Medicare.
It's a reminder to all of us to be cautious about where we get our information and to be sceptical of any offers that come our way.
The statistics from Scamwatch were sobering—Australians have already lost $92 million to scams within the first five months of the year.
In 2023, Aussies lost a staggering $2.74 billion to scams alone.
These numbers are not just figures; they represent the hard-earned money of individuals, many of whom cannot afford such losses.
We urge everyone to exercise caution and educate themselves about these scams.
Always verify the source of any emails or notifications regarding payments.
Do not click on unauthorised links or provide personal information unless you are certain of the legitimacy of the request.
You can contact Services Australia for confirmation if you encounter suspicious activity or are unsure about the authenticity of a Centrelink message.
You can also get warnings about the latest scams at the SDC Forum's Scam Watch section.
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