New myGov text scam targeting Australians all around the country and how to spot a fake message

Australians have been warned about a series of myGov text message scams that falsely advise the recipient that changes have been made to their account.

Scammers will pose as government officials and tell recipients to click on fraudulent links so they can claim a refund or rebate. 

Services Australia says anyone who has received a message that alleges their account has been changed in some way should consider it a scam.

‘You may have recently got a text message to advise you’ve made a change to your myGov account’ Services Australia said in a statement.

Australians have been warned about a series of myGov scams that falsely tell the recipient that changes have been made to their myGov account (stock image)

One example of a scam message will ‘inform’ the recipient that their security information was ‘successfully changed’ and provide a suspicious link to click if they didn’t make this change

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‘The scam text message asks you to click a link if the myGov activity was not made by you. 

‘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.’

‘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.’

Services Australia recommends users only log into their myGov account by searching my.gov.au on a web browser and to never click on links attached to a email or text message. 

One example of a scam text will read: ‘Your profile security information was successfully changed if you didn’t make this change Go To https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11877431/New-myGov-text-scam-targeting-Australians-country-spot-fake-message.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490.’

Another tells the user that their ‘profile has been placed on hold pending review’ and then adds a link at the end to ‘resolve’ it.

Some scams have targeted Centrelink recipients, where they’re advised their welfare payment has been put on hold or their Centrelink details have been unlinked from their myGov account.

Another scam claimed the user’s profile was ‘placed on hold pending review’ with a link at the end to ‘resolve’ it

Another text message claimed the recipient was eligible for a refund and told them to click on a hyperlink to confirm their bank details

Others will advise recipients to click on fraudulent links so they can claim a refund or rebate through email.

One example of this type of scam is: ‘MyGov: We attempted to deposit your refund but we had issue [sic] with your banking information. Pls [sic] confirm your details.’

Another version of this con has the scammer telling the recipient they’re eligible for $198.92 and to click on the hyperlink.

After the last annual calculation we noticed that you are eligible to receive a sum of $198.82 AUD,’ the email read.

‘To submit the application electronically please fill out the form. Once completed you will be asked to confirm that the information in the document is correct.’

ScamWatch has shared several tips and tricks to help everyday Australians recognise a scam text message or email.

Poor grammar or punctuation are among the major red flags found in scam messages.

Hyperlinks are also never included in any email or text message sent by myGov. 

Emails sent by the government agency will also not include the logo and simply inform the recipient they have received a new message in their inbox. 

It comes as recent data revealed the number of fraudulent messages being sent to everyday Australians rose by a staggering 160 per cent in January compared to December. 

Anyone who believes they may have already fallen victim to a myGov scam should call the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk immediately. 

Services Australia warns anyone who has received a message that alleges their account has been changed in some way should consider it a scam (stock image)