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Centrelink recipients warned: ‘Your payment is on hold’

People line up outside a Centrelink office.
Centrelink recipients have been warned of a new scam. (Source: Getty)

Aussies on Centrelink, or who use myGov, have been warned about a series of text messages going around that attempt to steal your details.

Services Australia said if you recently received a text message advising you about a change to your myGov account, you should think twice before clicking on any link.

“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.”

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The scammers have even gone so far as to tell potential victims the information would be transferred securely.

“This is a trick to gain your trust and get you to click on the link,” Services Australia warned.

Services Australia and myGov will never send you a text message with a link.

Remember to only log into your myGov account by searching for the official website in a trusted web browser and never click on links in web forms, emails or text messages.

A copy of a scam text being sent to Centrelink and myGov users.
(Source: Services Australia) (Services Australia)
A copy of a scam text being sent to Centrelink and myGov users.
(Source: Services Australia) (Services Australia)
A copy of a scam text being sent to Centrelink and myGov users.
(Source: Services Australia) (Services Australia)

What to do if you receive the scam message

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

You should call the Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk straight away if you have clicked on a link or opened an attachment in a suspicious email or text message, or given someone you don’t know your myGov or other personal details.

Find out more about scams and identity theft, including how to protect yourself against scams and what to do if a scam has affected you.

So far this year, Aussies have lost more than $425 million to scams, according to the Scamwatch website.

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