Flood relief payment con puts Coffs on Centrelink radar

Coffs Harbour residents are urged to be on guard following reports some are trying to rort the flood relief support payments. Centrelink is watching and here’s how you can help.

Coffs Harbour community Facebook pages have been alight with allegations of people trying to rort flood relief payments – as Centrelink warns it will use ‘intelligence and investigation’ to crack down on anyone trying to siphon the support cash.

Disaster Recovery Payments are available to residents seriously impacted by the February floods, including those in Coffs Harbour, the Nambucca and Bellingen shires, and the Clarence Valley.

But there’s been a flurry of activity on local social media pages, with reports that some are falsely trying to access the cash.

That’s drawn a response from Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen.

“When emergencies hit, our priority is to ensure people receive support as quickly as possible in their time of need,” Mr Jongen said.

“Most people claiming payments are honest and do the right thing.

“However, some individuals and groups try to get payments they are not entitled to. This can include by claiming to live in a flood affected area.”

Plan to tip-off Centrelink.

Mr Jongen said specialist intelligence and investigation teams will work to combat organised criminals and opportunists seeking to exploit the programs.

“The community can also help us make sure payments only go to those who really need them,” he said.

People can report suspicious activity using the Services Australia website online form at servicesaustralia.gov.au/fraud or call the fraud Tip off Line on 131-524.

Anyone caught and prosecuted for fraud against emergency payments risks significant penalties, including imprisonment.

Bushfire and Covid-19 fraud busts

Case study 1 – On December 16, NSW woman was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment for using stolen identities to fraudulently claim payments for the NSW Bushfires in September 2019. She was also ordered to repay $20,342.

Case study 2 – On December 13, a NSW woman was sentenced to a community corrections order of 27 months and fined $5000 for fraudulently claiming for the 2019 bushfires.

Case Study 3 – Two NSW women used 25 assumed identities to fraudulently claim more than $27,000 in bushfire and coronavirus welfare assistance. The agency identified the suspicious claims submitted by the women, and worked directly with the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force to stop the illegal activity. The offenders were charged with multiple offences, including obtaining financial advantage by deception. Both were convicted and received intensive correction orders.