Source: Australia Scam Watch
Background
Criminals are impersonating charities and offering fake financial assistance schemes to target people experiencing financial hardship.
Trusted charities like Good Shepherd and the Salvation Army offer no interest loans. These loans support low-income earners and people in hardship who are struggling with payments or unexpected expenses.
Criminals are pretending to offer loans from these charities. They may also impersonate government agencies and programs or other charities.
How to spot the scam
This scam can be hard to spot because criminals can set up fake social media accounts that look genuine.
The scammers will ask for your identity information and myGov login details.
How the scam works
Criminals pretend to offer services such as no interest loans. They also offer fake emergency relief services, rental assistance, and programs such as the Australian Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Once the scammers get someone’s identity information, they can log into myGov accounts, lock people out, and stop people getting government benefits like Centerlink and NDIS payments. They can steal support from charities.
Someone who is already experiencing hardship can be left without any money and be further behind on payments such as rent.
What you should know
Real support to people experiencing financial hardship is available, but criminals will try to target people in need.
Check independently that an organisation offering financial help is legitimate. Don’t rely on social media advertisements. Don’t assume that someone contacting you is who they say they are.
A real organisation will never ask for your personal information through social media.
Find out more
This scam is a type of impersonation scam.
Scammers pretend they are from charity organisations. They ask for personal details so they can steal government benefits and charity support.
Stay protected
STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.
CHECK – Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust – like your bank, charities, the police or government. If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check.
PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have had money or personal information stolen contact your bank and Services Australia immediately. Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch.
Resources for people experiencing financial hardship
The official number for the National debt helpline is 1800 007 007.
Call the Good Shepherd No Interest Loans (NILs) team on 13 64 57 or find a community service NILs provider near you.