myGov scam texts circulating, requesting personal details

People visiting a government website are being warned about a new phishing attempt by scammers which requests personal information.

Users of the Australian government’s myGov website are being warned about a new text message scam in circulation which is requesting personal details in order for people to receive an “income return”.

A man took to Facebook on Tuesday to share a potential scam text he had received from a mobile number claiming to be from myGov.

The text message, sent from an unrecognised mobile number, requests the recipient update information and provides a link to do so.

“Your income return of $1800.34 could not be processed due to insufficient information supplied please update immediately at (link).”

The Facebook user shared a screenshot of the text in order to warn others not to “fall for it”.

“This is another SCAM doing the rounds, please don’t fall for it,” he wrote.

“The obvious giveaway is it came from a mobile phone number.

“MyGov will never send you something from a mobile number. Please remember this.”

A new text message scam is circulating which requests personal details. Picture: Facebook

When asked about the new scam, a spokesperson from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said warnings were already in place for phishing attacks on the Scamwatch website.

“Phishing scams are attempts by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information such as your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers,” Scamwatch advises on its website.

“Do not click on any links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organisation and asking you to update or verify your details – just press delete.”

The myGov website also has active warnings about suspicious messages and other things to look out for.

“You may have recently got a text message to advise you’ve made a change to your myGov account. The scam text message asks you to click a link if the myGov activity was not made by you,” myGov said.

MyGov also released example images of what potential scams may look like.

MyGov has warned Australians about suspicious text messages which ask for personal details. Picture: myGov

The scam texts pretend to be from different government departments. Picture: myGov

“The text message may ask you to click on a link or access a web form. If you do, you may be redirected to a fake myGov site designed to steal your personal information and banking details,” myGov said.

“It may tell you that your information is being transferred securely. This is a trick to gain your trust and get you to click on the link.’”

MyGov says anyone who receives the suspicious messages should call the Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126, including if they have opened a link or attachment sent in an unsafe message.