Centrelink Warns of Fake $600 Cost-of-Living Cash Bonus Scams

Australians have been warned about a new scam circulating online, falsely promising a $600 “cash bonus” for Centrelink recipients in January. Scammers are using fake websites and social media posts to mislead people with enticing but false claims. Here’s everything you need to know to protect yourself.

Fake Cash Bonus

Scammers claim the government is offering a one-time $600 payment to Centrelink recipients to help with rising living costs, with payments supposedly starting in early January. Another rumor states that Age Pension recipients will receive a “bigger retirement income” due to a payment increase in January.

Truth

• There is no $600 cash bonus for Centrelink recipients in January.
• The Age Pension payment increase mentioned is also false.

While some Centrelink payments are adjusted on January 1 as part of regular indexation, these changes apply only to specific payments, such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, Youth Disability Support Pension, and Carer Allowance. Payments like the Age Pension, JobSeeker, and Disability Support Pension are indexed in March and September, not January.

How the Scam Works

According to Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen, these websites are often designed to generate traffic using clickbait headlines, aiming to earn advertising revenue rather than steal personal information.

However, the risk of phishing remains. Sharing personal details, such as your myGov login information, can expose you to financial theft or identity fraud.

Key Characteristics

• False claims of large payments like $600, $750, or $1,800.
• Promises of support for rising living costs, low-income earners, pensioners, and job seekers.
• URLs that do not end in “.gov.au”, the official domain for Australian government websites.

Protect Yourself

Here’s how to identify and avoid falling victim to these scams:

1. Verify Website Authenticity

Only trust information from official government websites, such as:

• servicesaustralia.gov.au
• my.gov.au

If the URL doesn’t end in “.gov.au,” it’s not an official government website.

2. Avoid Sharing Personal Information

Do not provide personal details, including your myGov sign-in credentials, to access so-called “bonus payments.”

3. Ignore Clickbait Headlines

Clickbait headlines are designed to lure you in with exaggerated or false claims. If a headline sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Stay Updated

Visit Services Australia’s website or follow their official social media accounts for accurate and up-to-date information about payments and scams.

5. Learn About Scams

Services Australia regularly updates its website with information about scams targeting Australians. Staying informed is your best defense.

Rise of Clickbait Scams

Scammers have increased their activity by creating websites that spread misinformation about Centrelink payments. These sites are often created quickly and can even be written using AI. Unfortunately, shutting them down is challenging for authorities.

Jongen explained, “These websites are easy for scammers to create, and Services Australia is limited in the actions we can take to remove them.”

It’s essential for Australians to remain cautious about online claims regarding Centrelink payments. Remember, any official updates will come from government websites ending in “.gov.au” or official social media accounts. Avoid giving out personal information to access fake bonuses, and always double-check information through trusted sources. By staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from scams and ensure your financial security.

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