In recent months, Australians have been increasingly targeted by sophisticated scams impersonating Centrelink and promising fake bonus payments.
As these fraudulent activities become more prevalent, citizens must stay informed about legitimate Centrelink payments and learn how to protect themselves from falling victim to these scams.
The Latest Centrelink Scam: $890 Bonus Payment
A new phishing scam has emerged, claiming to offer an $890 bonus payment from Centrelink to help with the cost of living. This scam has been spreading rapidly through social media, emails, and text messages, directing unsuspecting individuals to fake websites that closely mimic official government platforms.
Services Australia has confirmed that this $890 bonus payment is entirely fraudulent. There are no plans to issue such a payment, and any messages promoting it are part of a phishing scheme designed to steal personal information.
How Centrelink Scams Operate
These scams typically work by:
- Creating a sense of urgency
- Offering enticing financial incentives
- Directing victims to fake websites
- Requesting personal information or login credentials
- Sometimes asking for payment to “process” the bonus
Legitimate Centrelink Payments
It’s important to understand that Centrelink does provide various legitimate payments and services to eligible Australians. These include:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- JobSeeker Payment
- Family Tax Benefit
- Child Care Subsidy
However, Centrelink will never ask you to pay a fee to receive a payment or service, nor will they request sensitive information like passwords or PINs via email, SMS, or social media.
How to Protect Yourself from Centrelink Scams
To avoid falling victim to these scams, follow these guidelines:
- Verify information only through official channels
- Never click on suspicious links in emails or text messages
- Be wary of unsolicited contact claiming to be from Centrelink
- Don’t provide personal or financial information to unverified sources
- Use strong, unique passwords for your myGov account
- Enable two-factor authentication where possible
Reporting Scams
If you suspect you’ve encountered a Centrelink scam, report it immediately to:
- Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)
- Services Australia’s Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk
By staying informed and vigilant, Australians can better protect themselves from these increasingly sophisticated Centrelink scams while ensuring they receive the legitimate support they’re entitled to.