Beware of scammers asking for personal details

People are being warned to beware if phoned by someone claiming to represent the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs, and offering government grants of up to $100,000.

The Department has received several complaints from people who have been contacted and told they are eligible for grants of up to $100,000 for mortgage assistance, under the Household Assistance Package.

The fraudulent callers know the name, address and phone number of the person they are calling, and might try setting up appointments to visit their home and arrange the payment, providing a phone number for the person who will visit the home, as well as a reference number.

These offers are false.

There is no need for people to provide personal information, such as banking details, over the phone to receive Household Assistance Package payments.

People should beware of anyone asking for personal information.

If people are concerned that their privacy has been breached or they have provided personal details as a result of one of these calls, they should report it to the police.

People can also report a scam and get further information at the Government’s Scamwatch website, www.scamwatch.gov.au, or call the hotline on 1300 795 995.

If you have any further enquiries about this scam email helpdesk.fraud@fahcsia.gov.au