Members, if you have recently received an unexpected SMS from an unfamiliar number, it may be a scammer attempting to send you a phishing message posing as your bank, insurer, or, in this case, a government agency.

Be vigilant, as Medicare-related scams are on the rise once again!

According to Services Australia, scammers have been sending 'Medicare' text messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely claiming that their cards have expired and instructing them to click a link to update their information.

However, it is essential to emphasise that these text messages are not legitimate. The agency strongly advises recipients not to interact with or click on any links within these messages.

The scam text claims the recipient's Medicare card has expired, and they need to update their details. Credit: Facebook/Services Australia.

'This message isn't real. You don't need to do anything when your Medicare card is about to expire. We'll send you a new card about four to eight weeks before it expires,' Services Australia explained.

This scam is particularly dangerous because scammers are phishing for the recipient's personal information, which can be used for malicious purposes.

What makes it even more dangerous is that scammers often use clever tactics to make the message believable, such as spoofing the service's official number or using official-looking logos, especially in scam emails.

Services Australia wants to remind all residents of Australia that it will never ask them to click on links or attachments, except for links on its website, on its official social media accounts, or in their myGov inbox after they have signed in.

If you have already acted on one of these texts and clicked on a link or given your personal information away, contact the agency's Scams and Identity Theft Help Desk at 1800 941 126 immediately.

Apart from text messages, Scamwatch, a division of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has also recently issued warnings about fake emails impersonating Medicare circulating.

The emails falsely claim that the recipient's Medicare services have been suspended due to incomplete medical records information, requiring an 'update' to reactivate them. They also use the Medicare logo and branding, along with a link to a purportedly necessary form that must be filled out.

The government has allocated $10 million for the next four years to establish a new SMS sender ID registry to enhance scam prevention and safeguard Australians from fraudulent activities.

This registry will serve as a blocking list, effectively thwarting scammers' attempts to masquerade as prominent brands and government entities, including myGov and Medicare, within text message headers.

For more details regarding this initiative, read the full article here.

Key Takeaways

• Australians have been warned about a new 'Medicare' scam text message attempting to steal personal information.
• The scam involves sending text messages to people claiming their Medicare card has expired and prompting them to click a link to update their details.
• Services Australia clarified it would never ask individuals to click on links or attachments, except for links on its official website, social media accounts, or in your myGov Inbox.
• The agency urged anyone who had clicked a link or given personal information to a scammer to contact their Scams and Identity Theft Help Desk immediately.

Scams are getting sneakier and more convincing every day. So, keeping your guard up and protecting your information is crucial.

Remember, be careful about the links you click, watch out for unexpected messages, and most importantly, trust your instincts. If something seems fishy or too good to be true, it probably is!

Members, we hope you found this article helpful. Check out SDC’s Scam Watch Forum for more related stories and information.

Have you come across any suspicious texts or emails lately? How did you handle them? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

One would need to be an idiot to fall for that trick or even click on any unknown number not in their contact list

 

[Veggiepatch]

On Friday, I received a phone call from a "Brisbane" phone number from someone who sounded like they were in a Chinese fish market. I calmly told them, in an authorative voice, that I was "Senior Detective Sergeant <insert name> from the Australian Federal Police" and that he had called a sensitive and secure AFP phone number.

Well, talk about the gushing sorries and apologies that came out of this guy's mouth! I ended the call with a "your organisation will be fully investigated and charges may be laid". F**k 'em!

I'm now waiting for a visit from the AFP on allegations of impersonating one of their officers.

 

[Trudi]

It is a 99.9% scam. I've received two emails in the last 12 months offering me a refund from AGL, both of several hundred dollars. The thing is that AGL allege that I owe them approximately $1700 for unpaid gas and electricity for an address I haven't lived at since October 2015. They palmed the debt off to some mob called Milton and Graham who send me emails every month or so. Good luck getting money for something I didn't use.

Why would AGL want to throw money my way when they say that I OWE THEM!? Derp....

Something similar happened to me some years ago at one of my rental properties.

After the tenant moved out, I had the electricity connected in my name to do some cleaning and maintenance at the property. When I received the bill, the commencement meter reading was considerably less than what it should have been - I always take a meter reading when I get power connected in an empty house.

So I contacted the electricity company and it turned out that the tenants left without closing their electricity account.

I didn't have to pay for the outgoing tenants' electricity, but it highlights that you can never be too careful.