The nation’s anti-scam watchdog is warning criminals are now targeting some of our most vulnerable citizens by impersonating charities and offering fake financial assistance to people experiencing hardship.
Scamwatch says the fraudsters are highjacking no-interest loan programs from trusted charities such as The Salvation Army and Good Shepherd, as well as impersonating various government agencies and programs.
Criminals are then making fake offers of financial assistance to victims, in exchange for their identity information and/or myGov login details.
The financial relief offered may be in the form of no-interest loans or rental assistance through the Australian Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Once they scammers have your identity information, they can log into your myGov account, lock you and others out, reroute donations from charities and government benefits like Centrelink and NDIS payments.
Anyone already experiencing hardship could be left without any money.
What to look out for
Scamwatch says the ruse can be hard to spot because the criminals usually set up fake social media accounts that look genuine. They’re mimicking real charities, who offer real financial assistance programs, and target people in need.
If you receive an offer such as this, start by checking independently whether the organisation offering financial help is legitimate and has an independent website – not just a Facebook or Instagram page.
“Don’t rely on social media advertisements,” Scamwatch says.
“Don’t assume that someone contacting you is who they say they are.”
They say legitimate charities or government departments will never ask for your personal information through social media.
End the communication – be it a phone call or email exchange – then try to contact the business separately to confirm the offer. Never give any personal information out to anyone if you’re unsure who you’re speaking to.
“Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust – like your bank, charities, the police or government,” Scamwatch says.
“If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check.”
If you think you’ve been affected
You need to act quickly if something feels off. If you have had money stolen, immediately contact your bank. If they’ve taken personal information, contact the entities the info is stored with like Centrelink or a charity. There is no shame in getting scammed and it can happen to anybody.
Scamwatch says you can also call identity fraud support service IDCARE on 1800 595 160, or Services Australia’s Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 for advice and support.
Have you ever received a suspicious offer like this? Have you lost money to a scam? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: How to keep your finances safe from holiday scams
