The Department of Social Services (DSS) has recently received reports that members of the public have been contacted via phone by an individual or individuals offering a $7,600 government grant.
Some members of the public have reported the caller claims to be calling from the ‘Australian Grants Commission’ or the ‘Australian Government Grant Department’. The caller instructed the member of the public to go to their local post office, and gave them a phone number to call for further instructions.
These claims are false and these individuals do not represent DSS or the Commonwealth.
DSS officers do not:
It is a serious matter to impersonate a Commonwealth public official. It may even be a criminal offence carrying a penalty of imprisonment in some circumstances.
If approached in this manner, do not give any personal information. If you are uncomfortable with the nature of the call or approach, simply hang up.
We encourage you to report incidents of this nature. You can visit Scamwatch on www.scamwatch.gov.au to report to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), and you can contact the DSS fraud reporting hotline on 1800 133 611.
If you contact DSS in the first instance, we will obtain as many details as possible from you about the incident, including your contact details. If appropriate, DSS will refer it to the police or other relevant authority including the ACCC.
If you have already provided information to a caller or are concerned that a crime has or may be committed, please immediately contact the police, your bank or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) if it relates to your passport details.
The Expensive Commonwealth Criminal Cases Fund (ECCCF) is to provide funding to support Legal Aid Commissions (LACs) for costs incurred defending clients in serious, high cost, Commonwealth criminal matters (such as drug importation, people smuggling, terrorism, fraud and slavery). View grant
The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program aims to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations. View grant
The program aims to improve access for industry-identified priority uses of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals. View grant
The Australian Biological Resources Study’s National Taxonomy Research Grant Program provides grants for research into taxonomy and systematics and to support the training and/or recruitment of taxonomists. View grant
The Australian Government’s National Landcare Program aims to protect, conserve and provide for the productive use of Australia’s water, soil, plants and animals. View grant
The Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program is designed to provide funding for the maintenance and upgrade of existing infrastructure and the building, purchase, rent or construction of new infrastructure related to the running of an agricultural show on regional showgrounds. View grant