ACCC warns of Centrelink phone scam
The ACCC is warning Australians to be aware of phone calls from scammers pretending to be from the Department of Human Services or Centrelink.
There have been over 2,200 reports of this scam since January 2016 and over $27,000 reported lost to DHS and Centrelink scams.
“If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Department of Human Services or Centrelink claiming that you are eligible for an increase in your pension or benefit - hang up,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“The scammer will claim that you’ve been sent a letter about an increase in your benefits and not responded to it. They will then claim that your file has been sent to Canberra and that you can either go to Canberra to fill out the required form or you can pay a fee and have the forms sent to you.”
“The Department of Human Services will never ask you to deposit money in order to receive a payment. If in doubt, don’t use any contact details provided by the caller. Look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online, and phone or email them.”
If you receive a phone call from someone at Centrelink offering you an increase in benefits, hang up.
For more information, visit the Scams page on the Department of Human Services' website.
Yeahhh as Drifter say ..... DuuuHHHH, .... and CL never call they send an email or letter but never call and just remember that you always have 28 days to respond to a real CL letter or any other type of request ..... plenty of time to investigate if you want
I received calls 5 month ago asking to return over pay pension money to a bank account ????? What overpay ....he he he he idiots
Stupid people they think we are idiots .... well maybe some of us are idiots for accepting calls or emails like that or maybe we are to nice to just trust.
CL scam is not the only one they are many many scams going on even on emails ..... I receive at least 8 or 10 scam or junk emails a days I just look the description and delete them.
Never open emails that are not from people of your mail list even if sound real ...never never you will get a virus for sure .... have a look at this one I get everyday ... all bullshit only because I have a Wollies card and they have hack my email from them ... easy to do ....
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AND DO NOT UNSUBSCRIBE or click in "Click Here" BECAUSE THEY ASK FOR YOUR EMAIL AND THATS IT .....THEY GOT YOU AGAIN ..... Just deleted or reportem as scam ... this is another USA rubish con job.
Good luck hope this help
Re phone calls. Like everyone I get some weird scamsters every so often.
I do like Google for lookups, e.g. just put the phone number in and see what appears, e.g. the number in Ecstatic Cyclist's post.
That link brings up the following:
This scam is most convincing. The scammers seem to have recorded actual Centrelink messages. Centrelink informed me that they do not make unsolicited calls. As I'd been having difficulties in contacting Centrelink I rang the number given (02) 8607 5068 and after waiting a short while in a queue was connected then disconnected. I was told to ring between 10am and 6pm and as it was close to 6pm I was keen to get through. I was disconnected about 5 times and assumed it was because of a poor connection which echoed and they could not hear me. Eventually I got through just after 6pm and was told to ring back tomorrow. I explained I had rung 5 times and the "nice" man (Jason) took my details and said he would ring me back the next day. I missed two calls from (02) 8607 8601 and whenever I rung this number I get an engaged signal. I rang (02) 8607 5068 and was "lucky" to get the "nice" man (Jake or Jason) who I'd spoken to the previous day. As is usual for Centrelink calls I gave my CRN number and address. Jason explained I'd be underpaid on my age pension and Centrelink had written me several letters which were returned unanswered. My file had been transferred to Canberra. He was very nice so I asked to speak to his superior to thank him for going out of his way to help me and working beyond closing time. I assumed all the other "Centrelink" staff deliberately hung up as I'd rung so close to closing time. It took some time to speak with his supervisor who informed me that Centrelink owed me $2900 in underpaid pension. I was suprised when he said a local Centrelink staff member would visit me with a cheque and some documents to sign. He then added that it would cost $300 to transfer my file back to my local Centrelink and would I be happy to pay this. At this stage I guessed I was being scammed and said no but take it out of the $2900. He informed me that the $300 would be refunded (bull). I have rung (02) 8607 5068 which must switch to overseas (India?) several times. By placing the phone in front of a radio I manage to waste much of their time. These people are thieves and have no moral sense. Jason is very clever and convincing. His "supervisor" is not. I've had Centrelink add a password to all my calls to them and informed Scamwatch.