Centrelink (Services Australia) Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate Centrelink with fake payment delay texts and myGov phishing pages. Centrelink will never ask you to provide bank details or confirm a tax file number via a link in an unsolicited text.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Centrelink, operated by Services Australia, administers welfare payments to millions of Australians. Fraudsters send texts and emails impersonating both Centrelink and myGov — the government portal used to access services — claiming that payments have been delayed or that account re-verification is needed via a link.
Because the myGov platform connects to multiple government services including the ATO, Medicare, and Centrelink, credential theft through fake myGov pages can have consequences far beyond the initial scam.
How scammers impersonate it
- Sending texts claiming a Centrelink payment is delayed pending bank detail re-verification
- Creating fake myGov login pages to harvest credentials giving access to multiple government services
- Sending emails with Centrelink branding claiming an overpayment must be repaid urgently
- Calling recipients claiming to be from Services Australia and asking for a tax file number
- Sending fake notifications that a Centrelink claim requires urgent supporting documents via an external link
What the real organisation never does
- Send payment links via text to collect bank details or tax file numbers
- Demand immediate repayment of an overpayment over the phone without prior written notice
- Ask for your myGov username and password via any communication channel
- Request bank details, TFN, or Medicare number via an unsolicited email or text link
Common red flags
- Text about a delayed payment with a link to a non-myGov.id.au or non-servicesaustralia.gov.au domain
- Urgent call from 'Centrelink' demanding TFN or bank details to avoid payment suspension
- Email asking you to re-verify your myGov credentials via an external link
- Threat of legal action unless you call back a number provided in an SMS
- myGov-style page at a domain that is not my.gov.au
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Text: 'Centrelink: Your payment has been suspended. Update your bank details at [fake link] to restore it.'
Call: 'This is Services Australia. You have an outstanding debt. Provide your tax file number now to set up a repayment arrangement.'
How to verify
- Access your Centrelink and myGov account only at my.gov.au — type it directly into your browser
- Contact Centrelink on 136 240 or through the myGov app for genuine account queries
- Genuine payment delays or overpayment notices are communicated via letters and in-account messages
- Report suspicious contacts to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
What to do if you're targeted
- Do not provide any personal details — hang up or delete the message
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
- Change your myGov password immediately if credentials may have been compromised
Frequently asked questions
I received a myGov text with a link — is it from Centrelink?
myGov and Centrelink do not send SMS messages with links directing you to enter personal or banking details. Access your account only by typing my.gov.au directly into your browser.