Services Australia warns Aussies of $890 Centrelink 'bonus payment’ scam
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In an age where the internet has become a cornerstone of our daily lives, it's no surprise that it's also become a playground for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals.
Everyone, particularly those who rely on government services like Centrelink, needs to be extra vigilant as a new scam has surfaced, promising an $890 'bonus payment' that doesn't exist.
The scam, which has been making rounds on the internet, is particularly insidious because it preys on those who may be struggling with the cost of living and are searching for some financial relief.
These fraudulent websites and social media posts are advertising what they call a 'one-off payment’, 'Centrelink cash relief payment', or 'bonus payment' to help with various expenses or to assist concession card holders.
The scammers are crafty, offering varying amounts of money, including $750 and $1,800, to entice a wide range of victims.
They've even created fake eligibility check tools, which ask for personal information under the guise of determining if you qualify for the supposed payment.
This is a classic phishing tactic designed to steal your MyGov credentials, lock you out of your account, and potentially make fraudulent claims in your name.
Services Australia has confirmed that these claims are false and has issued a warning to all Australians to be cautious.
The only legitimate sources for changes to Centrelink payments are the official government websites and social media channels.
Remember, if a website URL doesn’t end in '.gov.au’, it's not an official government site and should be treated with suspicion.
To help protect your personal information, Services Australia recommends setting up a verbal password for your account. This adds an extra layer of security and can prevent unauthorised access.
It's alarming that Australians have lost over $134 million to scams this year alone.
Phishing scams are the third most financially damaging scams after investment and romance scams.
A recent investigation into the security of Australian MyGov accounts revealed that hackers have been exploiting Medicare and Centrelink accounts by linking them to bogus myGov accounts and making false tax or support payment claims.
This comes after Services Australia issued a warning about a fake $1,800 Centrelink payment bonus for Age Pension recipients.
The scam involves misleading information shared on unofficial websites, enticing members to click on a link.
Have you or someone you know encountered this scam or a similar one? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Everyone, particularly those who rely on government services like Centrelink, needs to be extra vigilant as a new scam has surfaced, promising an $890 'bonus payment' that doesn't exist.
The scam, which has been making rounds on the internet, is particularly insidious because it preys on those who may be struggling with the cost of living and are searching for some financial relief.
These fraudulent websites and social media posts are advertising what they call a 'one-off payment’, 'Centrelink cash relief payment', or 'bonus payment' to help with various expenses or to assist concession card holders.
Services Australia warned Aussies of the $890 ‘bonus payment’ scam. Credit: Shutterstock
The scammers are crafty, offering varying amounts of money, including $750 and $1,800, to entice a wide range of victims.
They've even created fake eligibility check tools, which ask for personal information under the guise of determining if you qualify for the supposed payment.
This is a classic phishing tactic designed to steal your MyGov credentials, lock you out of your account, and potentially make fraudulent claims in your name.
Services Australia has confirmed that these claims are false and has issued a warning to all Australians to be cautious.
The only legitimate sources for changes to Centrelink payments are the official government websites and social media channels.
Remember, if a website URL doesn’t end in '.gov.au’, it's not an official government site and should be treated with suspicion.
To help protect your personal information, Services Australia recommends setting up a verbal password for your account. This adds an extra layer of security and can prevent unauthorised access.
It's alarming that Australians have lost over $134 million to scams this year alone.
Phishing scams are the third most financially damaging scams after investment and romance scams.
A recent investigation into the security of Australian MyGov accounts revealed that hackers have been exploiting Medicare and Centrelink accounts by linking them to bogus myGov accounts and making false tax or support payment claims.
This comes after Services Australia issued a warning about a fake $1,800 Centrelink payment bonus for Age Pension recipients.
The scam involves misleading information shared on unofficial websites, enticing members to click on a link.
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