Aussies urged to look out for fresh Centrelink scams

Scammers are promising big cash handouts to vulnerable Australians struggling to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis. See how they work and how to protect yourself.

Aussies on Centrelink are being targeted by international scammers falsely promising thousands of dollars in bonuses to pensioners, job seekers and renters.

The scams have been circulated to vulnerable Australians in the form of online articles with details about how to access non-existent government rebates and assistance schemes.

One article, published earlier in January on a website based in India, tells vulnerable Australians they are entitled to $221 per fortnight as part of a government initiative to ease the rental crisis.

A second article on the same website falsely promises an extra $19.80 for people on youth allowance.

An example of a fake Facebook profile. Picture: Supplied

A Facebook post falsely promising users $3000 rebates from the Australian government. Picture: Supplied

A third article on News of India Network tells readers the pension has increased by up to $780 for singles and $1102.40 for couples.

All three articles encourage readers to click links for more information.

A number of Facebook users have also reported receiving unsolicited messages from fake accounts claiming to be run by Centrelink agents, promising government loans and support payments.

One user received a message from a false account, which read: “Available loan for government support any amount, you’re to get it straight a way to your my gov if you a citizen apply now still available.’

One Facebook page, which appears to have been created on Sunday, tells users the government will deposit $3000 into their bank account.

An article promising false payments to Australians on welfare. Picture: Supplied

The page profile image is the Centrelink logo, and posts include photos of thick stacks of $50 and $100 notes.

Services Australia has issued a number of warnings about online scams, urging people to call Centrelink and confirm whether information is legitimate.

How do these scams work?

There are a few ways scammers can benefit from these fake articles and social media pages.

They can either make money from advertising revenue through website traffic, or by getting access to a victim’s personal details to either create a more convincing and personalised scam campaign.

Scammers can use small personal details to gain access to My Gov accounts and divert funds, or make false payment claims.

Some social media users have reported receiving unsolicited messages from scam profiles.

How to spot a scam

Scams will offer victims varying amounts of money, or demand immediate payments.

If a URL doesn’t end in .gov.au, it is not an official government website. The only genuine Services Australia and myGov websites are servicesaustralia.gov.au and my.gov.au.

Individual Centrelink agents will never send unsolicited messages on social media about new payments.

Services Australia informs people about changes to payments and processes via its official website and social media channels – recognisable by the blue tick and thousands of genuine followers.

The only genuine Services Australia and myGov websites are servicesaustralia.gov.au and my.gov.au.

If you are not sure whether information is correct, call Services Australia or type servicesaustralia.gov.au into a trusted browser and search for it on the website.

Services Australia and Meta was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Aussies urged to look out for fresh Centrelink scams