With rising living costs, many seniors are feeling the pinch and scammers are taking advantage of this. Recently, there’s been a flood of fake ads online promising free money from the Government. These ads claim to offer “bonus” payments to help with the cost of living, but they’re nothing more than scams designed to steal your personal information.
The ads may say things like “get a $750, $1,800, or even $4,100 payment” to help with things like the Age Pension, Carer Payment, or concession cards. But these payments don’t exist! They are made-up offers created by criminals looking to trick you into giving away sensitive information.
Services Australia has warned that these scams are often shared through unofficial websites and social media accounts. To protect yourself, it’s crucial to know where to get reliable information. The only real government websites are servicesaustralia.gov.au and my.gov.au. If you see a payment offer that seems too good to be true, always double-check by visiting these official sites.
Services Australia has also made it clear: they will never ask you for personal details through unofficial channels. If you’re unsure whether something is legitimate, you can call Services Australia directly or check their official social media pages for updates.
It’s important to stay vigilant. Falling for a scam can have serious consequences. So, always be cautious and rely on trusted sources for your information.
Stay safe and remember: if you ever see an offer online that looks suspicious, it’s always best to double-check before acting on it.