POLICE are warning people to not be fooled by scammers pretending to be from Medicare.
Text messages are being sent, urging recipients to click onto a link and enter details for a Medicare rebate.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the scammers were phishing for personal information.
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“These fake messages are being sent out in large numbers and are trying to steal your sensitive personal details and use them for malicious purposes," the spokesperson said.
“SMS continues to be a popular method for criminals hoping to trick you into handing over your money or personal information.”
Earlier this year, the Australian Government warned people to not click on links in text messages, emails and Facebook messages from senders claiming to be authorities.
A Stay Smart Online spokesperson said that cyber criminals had set up web pages that looked like MyGov and Medicare portals to trick people into entering personal information like bank details.
People could spot a fake page by checking the URL address.
“If you click on the link in the email you are taken a replica of the real myGov website,” the spokesperson said.
“You’ll note the URL includes ‘.net’ instead of ‘.gov.au’, which is an indication the website is not a legitimate Australian Government domain."
For more information about to stay safe online, visit staysmartonline.gov.au.
TIPS TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED
- Do not click on links in emails or text messages claiming to be from myGov or Medicare.
- Do not open messages if you do not know the sender or did not solicit the message.
- Be suspicious of messages that are not addressed directly to you or do not use your correct name.
- Check for legitimate emails from Medicare by logging into your myGov account at my.gov.au, making sure ‘https://’ appears at the beginning of the URL address.
- You can also contact Medicare to check if they have sent an email.
