Media Release by The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Economic Stimulus Scammers Will Be Caught

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert today put fraudsters on notice reminding them Services Australia is keeping a watchful eye for any scams or fraudulent activity purporting to be part of the economic stimulus package.

The Morrison Government, as part of the $17.6 billion economic plan to keep Australians in jobs, keep business in business and support households and the Australian economy, announced $4.8 billion to provide a one-off $750 stimulus payment to pensioners, social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.

Minister Robert said payments being delivered through Services Australia are secure and designed to not attract fraudulent behaviour.

‘I want to remind everyone who may be eligible for the one off payment and have existing bank account details with Services Australia that they do not have to do anything – Services Australia will process the payment after 31 March,’ Mr Robert said.

‘To help prevent fraudulent behaviour, Services Australia will not be proactively contacting anyone asking for  personal details – if you need to update your details, you can do this online through your myGov account, or by calling Services Australia directly on 132 300.

‘If you receive an email purporting to be from Services Australia or Centrelink about the stimulus payments, it is most likely to be a scam. Services Australia will not communicate via email about this payment.

‘Services Australia have specialist teams and sophisticated fraud detection programs operating in real time to prevent fraudulent claims. The Morrison Government takes all allegations of fraud seriously and assess all allegations we receive.’

Minister Robert said cases of serious fraud would be referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Convicted persons faced large fines and even imprisonment.

Suspected fraud can be reported via the ‘Reporting Fraud’ page on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/fraud, or by calling the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line on 13 15 24. More information about the one-off economic support payment, visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19.