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ACCC warns $700,000 lost to coronavirus scams claiming to be from JobKeeper, ATO, Health Department

Sophisticated scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis by latching onto the government's JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme.

Frank ChungFrank Chung
@franks_chung
4 min read
May 13, 2020 - 7:22PM
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Sophisticated scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis by latching onto the government's JobKeeper wage subsidy and early superannuation access scheme.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch has received more than 2000 reports since the start of the crisis with more than $700,000 in losses.

"Common scams include phishing for personal information, online shopping, and superannuation scams," the ACCC says.

"Scammers are hoping that you have let your guard down. Do not provide your personal, banking or superannuation details to strangers who have approached you. Scammers may pretend to have a connection with you. So it’s important to stop and check, even when you are approached by what you think is a trusted organisation."

Scammers impersonate the Australian Taxation Office, Health Department, myGov or other government agencies in an attempt to trick people into clicking on malicious links designed to steal their personal and financial information.

One scam email even claims to be from Medicare and asks for donations to fight the coronavirus pandemic, while others spruik dodgy cryptocurrency investments using fake endorsements from celebrities like Chris Hemsworth.

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"Never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details, even if they claim to be a from a reputable organisation or government authority — just press delete or hang up," the ACCC says.

"Don’t click on hyperlinks in text (or) social media messages or emails, even if it appears to come from a trusted source. Go directly to the website through your browser. For example, to reach the MyGov website type 'my.gov.au' into your browser yourself."

Here are some of the new scams to watch out for.

JOBKEEPER PHONE SCAM

The tax office says it has received reports of scammers impersonating the ATO calling members of the public and asking them to provide their bank account details for the JobKeeper payment.

"They are telling them that their employer has registered them for the JobKeeper payment, but that the ATO needs their bank account details to deposit the funds into their account," the ATO says.

"Do not provide the information requested. Employees that are eligible for JobKeeper payments will be paid by their employer and the ATO will reimburse their employer for these payments. The ATO does not need the bank account details of individual employees."

COVID-19 TESTING SCAM

A phishing scam email claiming to be from the Health Department and signed by Health Minister Greg Hunt claims the recipient has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case.

"In line with the contact tracing modalities and within the laws on which we operate at the Department of Health, we strongly advice (sic) that you submit yourself for COVID-19 testing," the letter says.

"The necessary details of your appointment with the Deparment of Health are contained in the attached document. Read through guidelines property and ensure that you submit yourself for testing as failure to do so will result in arrest and prosecution."

FAKE VIDEO CONFERENCE

With thousands of people now working from home, fake emails seeking video conferencing details have been circulating since the start of lockdowns.

One example highlighted by security firm MailGuard pretends to be a Zoom video conferencing invitation that takes users to a fake Microsoft login page asking for a password, before telling the victim the call has been cancelled.

"Only accept invitations from trusted sources and never update your password using links from emails," the ACCC says.

FAKE ‘COVIDSAFE’ WARNINGS

New government impersonation scams doing the rounds claim to be from “COVIDSafe”, the federal government’s contact tracing app. “We've issued a new communication regarding high-risk places to avoid in the next 14 days," the text says, linking to a fake government website.

A similar phishing email titled "COVIDSafe ALERT" attempts to scare the victim into clicking a link. "We would like to inform you that you have been recorded as leaving your home on three occasions yesterday," it says. "A fine of $10 has been added to your myGov account."

“Don’t be fooled by this COVIDSafe ALERT email impersonating myGov,” the ACCC says. “It’s a scam. Don’t click on the links, just delete the email.”

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCAMS

The ACCC has identified several other text message and email scams pretending to be from government agencies and other entities offering to help with applications for financial assistance or payments for staying home.

One phishing email titled "subsidy benefit allocation" claims to be from Services Australia, while another claims to be from the ATO and offers $220 tax refund due to "regulatory changes" as a result of the "situation with coronavirus".

Another fake text message reads, "You may get a $750 economic support payment," and links to a malicious website designed to appear like a government address.

SUPERANNUATION SCAMS

"Scammers are taking advantage of people in financial hardship due to COVID-19 by attempting to steal their superannuation or by offering unnecessary services and charging a fee," the ACCC warns.

The majority will start with an unexpected call claiming to be from a superannuation or financial service. Scammers will use a variety of excuses to request information about your superannuation accounts and may refer to the government's early release measures.

"Don’t fall into this trap – there is no need to pay anything. It is a free application process, done through the ATO’s website," Australian Securities and Investments Commission chair James Shipton said. "Other scammers are spruiking high-return investment opportunities. Remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

BUSINESS IMPERSONATION

Scammers also pretend to be from banks, supermarkets, travel agents, insurance providers, telcos and other well known businesses using COVID-19 as an excuse to ask for personal information, demand payment for non-existent goods or services, or gain remote access to the victim's computer.

One fake text claiming to be from Woolworths offers a free $250 voucher, while another from Westpac attempts Westpac claims the recipient will be unable to use their online banking until they have updated their personal details "due to the recent COVID-19 virus".

"Never provide a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a telco company such as Telstra or the NBN Co," the ACCC says. "To verify the legitimacy of a contact, find them through an independent source such as a phone book, past bill or online search."

frank.chung@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/tax/accc-warns-700000-lost-to-coronavirus-scams-claiming-to-be-from-jobkeeper-ato-health-department/news-story/8e1007043c3cad17ed5a5e34ef34831e