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As the cost of living continues to strain households across Australia, scammers are now taking advantage of the situation. The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning that criminals are targeting people in financial hardship by impersonating trusted organizations and offering fake programs like no-interest loan schemes, rental assistance, and emergency relief services.
These scams often mimic legitimate services provided by well-known charities, such as Good Shepherd and the Salvation Army, which are intended to support low-income earners and those facing unexpected financial difficulties.
“As the cost of living has risen, struggling Australians are being targeted in despicable ways by criminals. We are warning people who need financial assistance and those that provide it to be aware of these scams,” said ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe (pictured right).
Although Scamwatch has received reports about these fraudulent activities, officials believe many victims have not come forward, partly due to reluctance to admit financial struggles. Scammers are also impersonating government agencies and organizations like Wesley Mission to further deceive individuals in need.
“Impersonating trusted organizations is a common scam tactic. Australians should independently check an organization offering financial assistance is legitimate, and never provide personal identifying information through social media,” Lowe said.
These schemes aim to steal both money and personal information, such as myGov usernames, bank account details, and driver’s licenses. This data is then used to commit identity theft and other crimes, leaving victims to deal with additional financial and legal consequences.
“In one alarming instance, scammers posed as a reputable charity, advertising a no-interest loan to a couple. Believing the offer was genuine, the victims provided sensitive information, including their driver’s license, Medicare card, Pension Card, and myGov details. The scammers then diverted $1,000 from the couple’s Centrelink payments,” Lowe said.
The National Anti-Scam Centre encourages Australians to be cautious of unsolicited offers for financial aid. Authentic support is available, but individuals should verify the legitimacy of organizations before sharing personal information.
Suspected scams should be reported to Scamwatch and social media platforms. If personal information has been shared with scammers, IDCARE can be contacted at 1800 595 160.
Meanwhile, individuals who have shared their myGov or Centrelink details should reach out to Services Australia’s Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk at 1800 941 126 for assistance.
