Medicare & health fund impersonation
Calls or texts pretending to be Medicare, Bupa or Medibank wanting to 'verify' your details.
How it works
A caller says your Medicare card is being cancelled, a rebate is owed, or your private health policy has been compromised. They ask you to confirm your Medicare number, Centrelink CRN, Medibank ID, bank details or a 6-digit verification code. With these, they commit identity fraud, raid your MyGov account, or open phone contracts in your name.
Common scenarios to watch for
This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.
Robocall 'press 1' Medicare cancellation
An automated call says your Medicare card has been suspended due to fraud and asks you to press 1 to speak with an 'investigator' who then phishes your number and ID.
"This is Services Australia. Your Medicare entitlement has been suspended. Press 1 to speak to an officer immediately."
Red flags to spot
- Is the call a recorded voice asking you to press a key?
- Are they threatening to cancel your Medicare unless you act now?
- Do they ask for your full Medicare number or CRN?
- Did the call come from a withheld or overseas number?
'Rebate owed' SMS link
An SMS says you're owed a Medicare or private health refund and links to a fake myGov / Medibank page that captures your login and bank details.
"Medicare: A rebate of $326.40 is pending. Confirm bank details: medicare-rebate-au.com/claim"
Red flags to spot
- Is there a link to a site that isn't medicare.gov.au or my.gov.au?
- Does the page ask for full card numbers, CVV, and Medicare details together?
- Is the rebate amount oddly specific to feel real?
- Did you reach the page only via the SMS link, not by going to myGov yourself?
Red flags
- 🚩Unsolicited call or SMS about Medicare or your health fund
- 🚩Requests for full Medicare number, IRN or CRN
- 🚩Threats that your card will be cancelled within 24 hours
- 🚩Recorded voice asking you to 'press 1 to speak to an officer'
- 🚩Caller already knows your name and address (from data breach) and uses it for trust
What to do
- 1Hang up. Medicare and Services Australia don't cold-call asking for numbers.
- 2Sign in to myGov directly to check messages — never via a link in an SMS.
- 3Call your health fund using the number on your member card to verify.
- 4If you shared your Medicare or CRN, call IDCARE (1800 595 160) to lock down identity.
- 5Report to Scamwatch.
Who's targeted
- Seniors and migrants enrolled in Medicare or a health fund.
- Anyone whose name and address leaked in a recent breach (e.g. Medibank).
Why it works
- Caller already knows your name and address from breach data.
- Threats to cancel essential health cover create urgency.
Common variations
Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.
- 1'Your Medicare card has been cancelled' robocall.
- 2Health-fund 'rebate' email asking for bank details.
- 3'Premium overcharge refund' text linking to a phishing page.
If you've already been scammed
- 1Call your health fund directly using the number on your card.
- 2If you shared Medicare or CRN details, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
- 3Place a temporary credit freeze with Equifax / illion if ID was exposed.
Frequently asked
Does Medicare ever cold-call?▾
No. Services Australia only contacts you via myGov, not unsolicited SMS or calls.
Will my card really be cancelled?▾
No — Medicare cards are not cancelled by phone.
How long does IDCARE help last?▾
As long as you need — their service is free and ongoing.
Related scams
Connected patterns you should also learn — ranked by how much they overlap with this one.
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