Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, catching even the most cautious among us off guard.

Staying informed is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones from potential fraud.

Here’s a story that highlights the importance of vigilance and the lessons we can all learn. Read on.

Even the most vigilant can fall victim to online scams, as retired University of Western Australia employee Jeff Pollard discovered.

Despite his familiarity with online safety, a convincing phishing email led him down a path of fraud that impacted his Centrelink payments.

Phishing scam targets man’s Centrelink payments. Image source: Pexel/Tima Miroshnichenko

The trouble began when Mr Pollard received an email that appeared to be from myGov, claiming he had received a notification from Centrelink.

Believing it was related to previous communications with the agency, he clicked on the link.

‘I had been providing some requested information, so thought it was a follow-up to that and I simply clicked the link in the email,’ he said.

The link directed him to a fake myGov website that mimicked the real one perfectly. He entered his login details, including his password, and soon received an SMS containing a six-digit security code.

This layer of protection, known as two-factor authentication, is designed to safeguard accounts, but it became part of the scam.

As Mr Pollard entered the code into the fraudulent site, the scammers likely used it to access his legitimate myGov account. Once in, they prompted him to set up security questions and upload copies of his driver’s licence.

‘At this point, it seems they had everything they needed to hijack my identity completely,’ Mr Pollard said.

Initially, he dismissed messages about new devices and passkeys as routine responses to his earlier interactions with Centrelink.

However, the scam escalated when he received a notification about a tax refund supposedly due to him. This raised red flags, prompting him to contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The ATO placed his tax details under a security watch, but the damage had already been done.

‘I did not receive my age pension on the normal date,’ Mr Pollard revealed.

Further investigation showed payments from his account, including a $1200 advance, had been redirected to suspicious bank accounts.

Acting quickly, Mr Pollard contacted Centrelink, which locked his account. Within days, the agency restored his missed payment and began investigating the fraudulent activity.

Reflecting on his experience, Mr Pollard offered some advice to others: ‘Never click on a link unless you genuinely know it is legitimate and have spoken to someone first. From now on, I will always type in the name of the website on my computer. That, really, is the only way I know the website is the real thing.’

The incident underscores how phishing scams can deceive even the most cautious individuals, using sophisticated tactics to exploit trust and access personal data.

Reporting the scam to Centrelink proved crucial, but earlier vigilance could have prevented much of the ordeal.

Previously, we covered the story of a woman who lost $39,000 in a matter of minutes to an elaborate scam. Her experience serves as another stark reminder of how easily anyone can be targeted by fraudsters.

Read the full story here.

Key Takeaways

• A retired University of Western Australia employee fell victim to a phishing email disguised as a legitimate myGov notification, leading him to enter his personal details on a fake website.
• Scammers used his login credentials and two-factor authentication code to access his myGov account, set up new security measures, and request copies of his driver’s licence.
• Fraudulent activity included redirecting Centrelink payments, including a $1200 advance, to suspicious bank accounts before the account was locked.
• The victim emphasised the importance of typing website addresses directly and verifying links to avoid scams in the future.

Have you or someone you know ever encountered a similar situation? Share your experience in the comments.

Stay informed and protected against the latest scams with the SDC’s Cybersecurity for Aussies Over 60 modules. Find out more here.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I've decided I'm moving with you, pal!!

I wouldn't step foot in that cesspool, soon to become Trumpistan, formerly known as the United States of Arrogance.

 

[Reet]

I got a text message from my super fund, asking me to update something. I deleted it thinking it was a scam. Later I found out it was genuine. I asked them to only contact me by email as everyone thinks texts are dodgy.

There are more scam emails that text messages so please always check by phone before doing anything else, whether you receive text messages or emails!

 

[Reet]

I’ve been getting a lot of my gov emails but will not click on link But it only takes a lapse in concentration to make mistake. Stay vigilant. They do look real !!

I have run out of counting the number of emails I am receiving supposedly coming from government departments, I just delete them and don't even check on the phone to see if they are real. I figure that if any of them are real someone will contact me by mail eventually and I can then make an appointment to talk to them.

 

[jsan]

Why would you call somebody a FOOL just because the poor person lost everything.grow up and have some empathy towards your fellow man

 

[Phantom36]

I'm a GP and of course we have to run a business, pay staff and overheads, before we can pay ourselves. My income is very low as I can only do a small amount of work due to illness.. Many surgeries cannot exist on universal bulk billing, and we have the choice of what to charge, as we are private businesses. The Medicare rebate is actually the patient's insurance rebate from Medicare, and has not kept pace with inflation, and if it was raised to a decent level, more doctors would bulk bill. You can't visit a vet, solicitor or other professional and ask for a 50 % discount. A lot of GP practices are closing, and the government wants to replace us with nurses and pharmacists, who are now being allowed to write prescriptions. So the high standard of Australian health care will decline.

I feel really sorry for you, a 20 minute consultation with our doctor is $188.50 so yes I guess all doctors are doing it tuff. If you can't do a lot of work because of illness perhaps you should consult a doctor.

 

[Daibhin]

I had one from my bank not long ago and thinking it was a scam I reported it too.
Turns out it was real, it was asking me to update my details which I found out when I went to the actual site to check it.
I don't think my bank has ever sent me emails like that, hense I thought it was dodgy, I did used to get statements emailed to me but I stopped that and go to the site to see them. They do send me an email saying my statement is ready to read/download but I don't click on them either, I go straight to the site.

I had one yesterday from my bank saying it was time to update security. I deleted it, usually the bank tells you this when you login not through an email. When I logged on there was nothing about security.
It's so damn annoying having to be on high alert just checking emails. Fortunately I have an edit button so can delete a bunch of dodgy and unwanted emails all at once..

 

[BigAl6164]

I got a text message from my super fund, asking me to update something. I deleted it thinking it was a scam. Later I found out it was genuine. I asked them to only contact me by email as everyone thinks texts are dodgy.

Your super fund ain't so super ...
Any text - or email - asking you to update information is automatically dodgy in my book. Consider getting another fund?

 

[BigAl6164]

I'm a GP and of course we have to run a business, pay staff and overheads, before we can pay ourselves. My income is very low as I can only do a small amount of work due to illness.. Many surgeries cannot exist on universal bulk billing, and we have the choice of what to charge, as we are private businesses. The Medicare rebate is actually the patient's insurance rebate from Medicare, and has not kept pace with inflation, and if it was raised to a decent level, more doctors would bulk bill. You can't visit a vet, solicitor or other professional and ask for a 50 % discount. A lot of GP practices are closing, and the government wants to replace us with nurses and pharmacists, who are now being allowed to write prescriptions. So the high standard of Australian health care will decline.

Pharmacists and nurse practitioners are highly trained and skilled professionals. Calling into question their ability to deliver high quality health care is unwarranted.

 

[BigAl6164]

I feel really sorry for you, a 20 minute consultation with our doctor is $188.50 so yes I guess all doctors are doing it tuff. If you can't do a lot of work because of illness perhaps you should consult a doctor.

I was lucky, then. Mine was only $80 - upfront. Medicare returned $42. Just as well I had money on hand but what if you haven't? I'm on a fixed income and I'd rarely - if ever - have $188.50 lying around to spend at the GP's.

 

[deni67]

I'm a GP and of course we have to run a business, pay staff and overheads, before we can pay ourselves. My income is very low as I can only do a small amount of work due to illness.. Many surgeries cannot exist on universal bulk billing, and we have the choice of what to charge, as we are private businesses. The Medicare rebate is actually the patient's insurance rebate from Medicare, and has not kept pace with inflation, and if it was raised to a decent level, more doctors would bulk bill. You can't visit a vet, solicitor or other professional and ask for a 50 % discount. A lot of GP practices are closing, and the government wants to replace us with nurses and pharmacists, who are now being allowed to write prescriptions. So the high standard of Australian health care will decline.

Being a GP you should have your own column here like we do with the psychologist/psychiatrist.
You could give your advice on minor things

 

[Heidiho]

Check the senders email address if you have any suspicion, or if you receive an email from a possible legitimate source instead of opening the email go directly to their website and check there for messages. I recently had a PayPal email that I was suspicious of (the email address showed as N for No reply), I went to my PayPal a/c and it was fine,
Angela J

 

[Joydie]

I'm a GP and of course we have to run a business, pay staff and overheads, before we can pay ourselves. My income is very low as I can only do a small amount of work due to illness.. Many surgeries cannot exist on universal bulk billing, and we have the choice of what to charge, as we are private businesses. The Medicare rebate is actually the patient's insurance rebate from Medicare, and has not kept pace with inflation, and if it was raised to a decent level, more doctors would bulk bill. You can't visit a vet, solicitor or other professional and ask for a 50 % discount. A lot of GP practices are closing, and the government wants to replace us with nurses and pharmacists, who are now being allowed to write prescriptions. So the high standard of Australian health care will decline.

Having worked in the medical field for 42 years as a nurse and specialist medical secretary, I know what you mean. It amazes me that people think doctors should happily accept what the patient believes is fair.

The orthopaedic surgeon who operated on my shoulder wouldn't take a penny from me for a consultation or the surgery, although he usually does have an out of pocket fee. He told his secretary in my hearing that I'm never to be charged because I gave medicine 42 years of my life, so it's time medicine gave something back to me.

My GP on the other hand, I've known for more than 40 years, since he was a VMO at a private hospital where I was a nurse. He charges me the same as everyone else for every visit. It's his right. There is a bright spot though. In less than a year, I'll turn 80 and everyone 80 and over is bulk billed.

 

[Joydie]

I am mortified to learn of your poverty but your whining doesn't help me, a pensioner one iota.

What a judgemental, nasty person you are.

And just to let you know, mortified means embarrassed or ashamed. I don't think that's the message you were attempting to convey. However, you can now be genuinely mortified because you used the wrong word in an attempt to be nasty to someone who's done you no harm.

 

[deni67]

Having worked in the medical field for 42 years as a nurse and specialist medical secretary, I know what you mean. It amazes me that people think doctors should happily accept what the patient believes is fair.

The orthopaedic surgeon who operated on my shoulder wouldn't take a penny from me for a consultation or the surgery, although he usually does have an out of pocket fee. He told his secretary in my hearing that I'm never to be charged because I gave medicine 42 years of my life, so it's time medicine gave something back to me.

My GP on the other hand, I've known for more than 40 years, since he was a VMO at a private hospital where I was a nurse. He charges me the same as everyone else for every visit. It's his right. There is a bright spot though. In less than a year, I'll turn 80 and everyone 80 and over is bulk billed.

My surgeon is paid from Medicare or the hospital. He has no say in whether I should be charged or not, it all costs money do to surgery from the surgeon, the nursing staff, and the anaesthetist, I doubt they would do it for free on their say so.

 

[Mark@Home]

What a judgemental, nasty person you are.

And just to let you know, mortified means embarrassed or ashamed. I don't think that's the message you were attempting to convey. However, you can now be genuinely mortified because you used the wrong word in an attempt to be nasty to someone who's done you no harm.

Judgmental? Nasty? We have your measure from your opening insult.

As an Englishman, I don't need a lesson in my language. Especially from someone whose English comprehension is deficient. As a UK veteran, my shoulders are broad enough to fend off amateur aspersion dispersion.

 

[marni]

I am mortified to learn of your poverty but your whining doesn't help me, a pensioner one iota.

I am aware of how many years doctors train to become a health professional. No engineer, vet, or any other graduate get told by the government how much to charge for their services. I will not work for a company that does not provide a decent wage. It is amazing how much pensioners will pay for their pet, but expect professionals to negotiate. Even a plumber or any other tradie can set their price and let the market decide

 

[Joydie]

My surgeon is paid from Medicare or the hospital. He has no say in whether I should be charged or not, it all costs money do to surgery from the surgeon, the nursing staff, and the anaesthetist, I doubt they would do it for free on their say so.

I'm privately insured. When consulting a surgeon privately, most will charge out of pocket for the consultation and the surgery in a private hospital.

Did you not read the bit where I said I worked as a specialist medical secretary? I did that job for 19 years, so I'm very aware of how the system works. I don't appreciate people calling me a liar.

 

[Joydie]

Judgmental? Nasty? We have your measure from your opening insult.

As an Englishman, I don't need a lesson in my language. Especially from someone whose English comprehension is deficient. As a UK veteran, my shoulders are broad enough to fend off amateur aspersion dispersion.

Please point out my deficiencies. I'll be fascinated to see what you consider them to be.

 

[deni67]

I'm privately insured. When consulting a surgeon privately, most will charge out of pocket for the consultation and the surgery in a private hospital.

Did you not read the bit where I said I worked as a specialist medical secretary? I did that job for 19 years, so I'm very aware of how the system works. I don't appreciate people calling me a liar.

I didn't call you a liar at all, I said I DOUBT any medical staff would do that!

 

[Joydie]

I didn't call you a liar at all, I said I DOUBT any medical staff would do that!

I know exactly what you wrote. I make sure I read articles and comments properly before I comment. Detailing personal experience which is different from mine, and then casting doubt on what I wrote, is saying you don't believe me. If you don't believe what someone's saying, you think they're lying.

Are you not aware that the system for people with health insurance is different from the public system? Did you think that all my 42 years in the system taught me nothing? Perhaps next time, take time to think and if you're still unsure, ask for clarification.