For most of us money is tight these days, so who doesn't love a refund when you've been underpaid or have been overcharged for something?
I know I do!
So I was excited to see an email pop up from MyGov telling me I was entitled to some money.
Of course my excitement lasted for only a microsecond or two before reality set in and I realised it was a scam.
Yes, another invasive scam is doing the email and phone rounds designed to steal your personal information and the money out of your bank account, and it's using the myGov name.
Red flags
In my case the email offered me a refund of 198.92 AUD.
That was actually the third red flag - I'm sure no one from an Australian government agency would add the AUD to a monetary amount.
In fact this email had more red flags than the former Soviet Union.
The first red flag was it was sent to my work account, which is not attached to my myGov account. Also I happen to be aware that when myGov wants me to access correspondence it tells me that I have a message in my myGov inbox which I then have to sign into.
The second red flag was it was addressed to Dear customer and I don't think myGov has ever been that polite.
Dangerous hyperlink
Apparently all I had to do to get my hands on the refund was fill in the electronic application form via a hyperlink and we all know never to click on a supicious link. So red flag number four.
But here's the kicker...the email ended with: "Your refund will not be processed unless you confirm your identity". Bingo ... Red flag number five.
Actually Mr Scammer it will be cold day in hell before I provide you with my name, my driver licence number, date of birth, passport number, bank account details, mother's maiden name, Medicare number ... I wouldn't even give you my dog's date of birth.
The scam email even had a pseudo MyGov logo @MyGov2023 and an attachment of a purchase order from a company in Ohio, USA with the British pound symbol ... not sure what that was about.
A warning from Scamwatch says Australians should beware emails and messages that appear to be from MyGov saying they are eligible for a refund or rebate and never click the hyperlink.
Eileen Wood
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
