Australians have been alerted to deceptive new scam websites that falsely claims to promote an $890 “cost of living bonus payment” from Centrelink.
Services Australia has identified multiple fraudulent websites appearing as advertisements online and on social media, which assert that individuals can claim this $890 bonus before the end of October.
The scam websites generally feature “clickbait” images promising a “one-off payment” or “cash relief payment” from Centrelink for pensioners, people with disabilities and low-income earners.
According to services Australia the scammers are also offering varying amounts of money, including $750 and $1800. “These payments don’t exist.” says Services Australia.
Fraudulent “clickbait” websites are targeting Australians by urging users to “check their eligibility status” for the fake $890 “cost of living bonus payment.”
To do this, individuals are prompted to enter their personal information, which includes login details for their myGov accounts.
Once scammers obtain this sensitive information, they can access the victim’s myGov account and lock them out, potentially gaining access to various government services and benefits.
Services Australia has issued a strong warning to residents to remain vigilant against these suspicious websites. They emphasize the importance of verifying the website’s URL before entering any personal information.
“If the website URL doesn’t end in .gov.au, it isn’t an official government site and could be a scam,” Services Australia cautioned.
Some websites claim that the payment is “designed for individuals aged 60 and older,” but they also suggest that others, including people with disabilities and those with low incomes, may qualify as well.
Australian residents are encouraged to report any fraudulent websites they encounter and to seek assistance directly through official channels if they suspect they have fallen victim to a scam.
