Medicare text scam targeting vulnerable Australians

A scam which threatens to “suspend access to Medicare” unless Aussies handover personal information is part of a spike in scams around welfare initiatives.

A scam which threatens to “suspend access to Medicare” unless Australians handover personal information is part of a spike in scams around welfare initiatives looking to exploit the current cost-of-living crisis, say authorities.

The scam warns the receiver they have lost access to Medicare, and asks them to click a link for more information.

When they do, they are asked to update their payment details and they need a one-time-pin to confirm their personal details.

According to an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission spokesperson Scamwatch received 1492 reports of scams impersonating Medicare via text messages, with losses of $1259.

Medicare is one of a number of government agencies scammers are targeting.

The spokesperson said losses were incurred by people who clicked on the links and were asked to update payment details.

The Medicare scam is part of an upward trend in reports of phishing scams impersonating a range of government agencies. These agencies include myGov, Centrelink, the ATO as well as Medicare.

An example of a scam text message. Picture: ACCC

A report by the ACCC found Australians lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022.

It shows that investment scams were the highest loss category ($1.5 billion), followed by remote access scams ($229 million) and payment redirection scams ($224 million).

“The true cost of scams is much more than a dollar figure as they also cause emotional distress to victims, their families and businesses,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said.

“As scammers become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, it is clear a co-ordinated response across government.

“That’s why we continue to lend our expertise and support to prepare for the establishment of the Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre, with the ultimate aim of making Australia the hardest target for scammers.”