Is a government text about a COVID payment or health rebate real?
Texts about health-related government payments are frequently used as phishing lures. Verify any payment claim through official government portals only.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Health emergency and pandemic-related payment fraud exploits the confusion created by genuine government relief programmes. Fake texts and emails claim you are entitled to a COVID rebate, health credit, or welfare payment, and direct you to a link to claim it. The site mimics government portals and harvests personal and banking details. Genuine government health payments are administered through existing benefit systems and tax authorities. If you are eligible, you are notified through your existing account or by post — not through unsolicited texts with payment links.
Common red flags
- Unexpected text about a health payment or rebate you were not expecting
- Link to a site that is not an official government domain
- Requires banking details or card information to deposit the payment
- Urgency — offer expires soon
What to do now
- Do not click the link or enter any details
- Log into your relevant government account directly to check for genuine payments
- Report the text to your national health authority's fraud line
- Forward phishing texts to 7726 (UK/US) or the relevant authority
Frequently asked questions
How do genuine government health payments reach me?
Real payments are deposited automatically to your registered bank account or credited to your tax account. You should not need to take action based on an SMS link.