TLDR
SMS/email impersonating Services Australia / myGov claims a Centrelink payment is pending and a link is required to verify identity, capturing CRN, Medicare and licence. ACCC ScamWatch: A$5M+ in Services Australia impersonation 2024....
How it works
SMS/email impersonating Services Australia / myGov claims a Centrelink payment is pending and a link is required to verify identity, capturing CRN, Medicare and licence. ACCC ScamWatch: A$5M+ in Services Australia impersonation 2024....
Red flags
- Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.
- A link or sender that does not match the official organization.
- Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What to do
- 1SMS/email impersonating Services Australia / myGov claims a Centrelink payment is pending and a link is required to verify identity, capturing CRN, Medicare and licence.
- 2WHAT TO DO: always access myGov via my.gov.au or the official myGov app — never via SMS link; check Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au/news.
- 3IF VICTIM: lock myGov account, call Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126, file ScamWatch report, request IDCARE response plan, request new Medicare number if exposed.
Source
ACCC-ScamWatch
Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/threats-extortionFAQ
Is Centrelink benefit scam — fake Services Australia phishing a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.; A link or sender that does not match the official organization.; Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What should I do first?
SMS/email impersonating Services Australia / myGov claims a Centrelink payment is pending and a link is required to verify identity, capturing CRN, Medicare and licence.; WHAT TO DO: always access myGov via my.gov.au or the official myGov app — never via SMS link; check Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au/news.; IF VICTIM: lock myGov account, call Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126, file ScamWatch report, request IDCARE response plan, request new Medicare number if exposed.
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.