Beware of stimulus package scams
SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be on the lookout for scammers seeking to take advantage of the Australian Government’s Household Stimulus Package.
They may attempt to steal your money and personal information.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Centrelink are preparing to make one-off bonus payments to Australian taxpayers, families, students and farmers over the coming months as part of the $42 billion dollar package announced on 3 February.
SCAMwatch has received reports of scammers sending bogus emails seeking personal information such as the person’s name, date of birth, address and bank details.
The emails are disguised as official communication from the ATO or Centrelink and suggest that people need to complete and submit an application to receive the bonus payments when this is not the case.
The ATO and Centrelink will not request updates to personal or banking details or lodgement of tax returns via email.
