Possible Scam Alert
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has recently received reports that members of the Public have been contacted by an individual or individuals identifying themselves as DSS officers. They have been advised that they were successful in obtaining a grant from DSS and have been asked to make their way to their local post office and to stay on the phone.
The callers seek personal information from the member of the Public including, bank details, passport and license numbers.
These claims are false and may be a scam.
The individual or individuals do in no way represent DSS or the Commonwealth.
DSS officers do not:
- announce outcomes of grant rounds via telephone
- contact members of the public seeking personal information, such as banking, passport details or license details
It is a serious matter to impersonate a Commonwealth public official. In some circumstances, it may be a criminal offence carrying a penalty of imprisonment.
If you wish to report an incident of this nature, please phone the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission by visiting the Scamwatch website. Or you can contact our fraud reporting hotline 1800 133 611.
If you have already provided information to the individual or individuals and you are concerned that a crime has or may be committed, contact the police.
If approached in this manner, we recommend that you do not give out any personal information and if you are uncomfortable with the nature of the call or approach, just hang up.
What to do if approached or if you need assistance
If you contact us in the first instance, we will obtain as many details as possible from you about the incident, including your contact details, and, if appropriate, refer it to the police or other relevant authority including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
If you receive a call or are approached, and feel that you are being misled in some way, you can contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Infocentre.
If you believe it to be a scam, you can report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission by visiting the Scamwatch website.
You can also register on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register, or for more information call 1300 792 958.