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Aussies warned of ‘myGov’ security threat

If you’ve received this text message purporting to be from myGov, think twice before clicking on the link.

Eliza Bavin
·Personal Finance Editor
Updated ·2-min read
A composite image of pople walking on a busy street with a myGov symbol in the top right corner and a copy of the scam text in the bottom left corner.
Aussies have been told to be aware of a new myGov scam. (Source: Getty / myGov / Provided)

Aussies have been warned about a myGov scam that alleges their Services Australia account has been accessed and their details have been changed.

Services Australia said anyone who had received a text message about unauthorised access to their myGov account should be aware it may be a scam.

“You may have recently got a text message to advise you’ve made a change to your myGov account. The scam text message asks you to click a link if the myGov activity was not made by you,” Services Australia said.

“The text message may ask you to click on a link or access a web form. If you do, you may be redirected to a fake myGov site designed to steal your personal information and banking details. It may tell you that your information is being transferred securely. This is a trick to gain your trust and get you to click on the link.”

Services Australia said users should only ever log into their myGov account by searching for the official website (my.gov.au) in a trusted web browser and to never click on any links or web forms within an email or text.

“If you get a suspicious message, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and report the scam,” Services Australia said.

Additionally, anyone who believes they may have already fallen victim to the scam should call the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk straight away.

How to spot a scam

There are a number of red flags to look out for if you receive a suspicious email or text. These include:

  • Poor spelling and/or grammar

  • A sense of urgency that requires you to take immediate action

  • Links and URLs not matching the official website of the source they are purporting to be

  • Automated messages that lack personalisation (whether that be an email referring to you simply as ‘customer’ or a call that is just an automated message

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