Fake government messages
myGov, Medicare, Centrelink lookalikes asking you to 'verify'.
How it works
A message claiming to be from a government service asks you to update details or claim a benefit via a link.
Common scenarios to watch for
This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.
Centrelink cost-of-living payment
An SMS promises a one-off relief payment and asks you to 'confirm' your bank. The phishing page captures bank login plus myGov code.
"Services Australia: $480 cost-of-living payment ready. Verify bank: servicesau-claim.com"
Red flags to spot
- Does the link not point to servicesaustralia.gov.au or my.gov.au?
- Are you being asked to log in to your bank or myGov through the link?
- Did the SMS arrive without any prior letter or official notice?
- Are you being asked for an SMS code on the page?
Medicare card 'expiry'
An email says your Medicare card has expired and asks for ID upload. The data is used for identity theft and loan fraud in your name.
"Medicare: your card expires in 7 days. Upload ID to renew: medicare-renew-au.org"
Red flags to spot
- Does Medicare actually send expiry emails? (They don't — cards don't expire.)
- Are you being asked to upload identity documents to a website?
- Does the URL not match medicare.gov.au or servicesaustralia.gov.au?
- Is there urgency around a deadline that seems artificial?
Fake census/ABS survey
A door-knocker or caller poses as ABS and asks for household income, bank and super details. ABS never asks for bank logins.
"Hi, ABS supplementary survey — can I get your bank, super fund and Medicare number for the income module?"
Red flags to spot
- Is the caller asking for bank details, passwords, or super fund logins?
- Did they show official ABS identification with a photo and badge number?
- Are they asking for information that seems unrelated to a census?
- Can you verify the survey on abs.gov.au before answering?
Red flags
- 🚩Link to anything other than my.gov.au, ato.gov.au, servicesaustralia.gov.au
- 🚩Threats or urgent benefits
- 🚩Asks for bank or ID details by SMS or email
What to do
- 1Sign into myGov directly via the app or my.gov.au.
- 2Forward the SMS to 7726.
- 3Report to Scamwatch.
Who's targeted
- Anyone using myGov, Medicare, Centrelink or the ATO.
- Migrants and seniors who may not recognise real domains.
Why it works
- Government branding triggers automatic trust.
- Promises of payments or threats of cancellation drive clicks.
Common variations
Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.
- 1'Cost-of-living payment' SMS linking to a fake myGov.
- 2'Medicare card cancelled' robocall.
- 3Email about updating bank details for a Centrelink benefit.
If you've already been scammed
- 1Change your myGov password and turn on a stronger sign-in method.
- 2Check linked services (ATO, Medicare, Centrelink) for unauthorised changes.
- 3Call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if you shared ID details.
Frequently asked
Does myGov SMS payment links?▾
Never. All messages appear in your myGov inbox after you log in.
How do I report fake myGov?▾
Forward to ReportScams@servicesaustralia.gov.au and to Scamwatch.
Is the .gov.au padlock guaranteed safe?▾
Yes — but check spelling: 'mygov-au.com' is not '.gov.au'.
Related scams
Connected patterns you should also learn — ranked by how much they overlap with this one.
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