Victims of institutional sexual abuse are being warned about a cruel scam claiming they are eligible for a $3000 payout.
There are currently several websites claiming victims are automatically entitled to $3000 payouts, and the National Redress Scheme (NRS) has issued a warning not to click on any links or hand over personal details.
The NRS is a government organisation that supports victims of institutional sexual abuse with the option of access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a redress payment. It was established in response to the federal government’s Royal Commission into institutional sex abuse. No redress payments are made through Centrelink.
In a statement on the website, the National Redress Scheme (NRS) said it was aware of several unauthorised websites containing misleading and inaccurate information about the scheme, some of which may appear as search results through web browsers.
Do no click
“Some of these websites include information such as the availability of a $3000 redress payment through Centrelink, references to welfare payments from other countries and pictures of government officials,” it stated.
“You should not click on links from these websites or provide personal information that may put you at risk.
“This includes contact initiated through social media offering redress payments, either from an unfamiliar account or from an existing ‘friend’ contact profile that has been taken over by a scammer.”
If you are a victim of institutional abuse, the NRS free offers free confidential emotional support and legal and financial counselling for people thinking about or applying to the scheme for financial redress. Find out if you are eligible here and apply here. You can also apply through a MyGov account.
Information about institutions that have joined the scheme is available here.
Applications can be made any time before 30 June 2027.
Have you seen any Centrelink scams? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Warning over government SMS scam targeting Aussies
