Scam alert – fake Department of Health and Human Services

We have received reports from members of the public that scammers may be posing as an agent from a fake government department called the Department of Health and Human Services.

The scammer may use email, social media messages, text messages or phone to tell you you’re eligible for grant funding.

On social media, scammers may create fake profiles using the identity and photos of someone you know. The ‘friend’ may say they have received grant money, and that you may also be eligible. The ‘friend’ will tell you to contact an ‘agent’ from the fake Department of Health and Human Services.

The scammer may also contact you directly.

The scammer may:

• say you are eligible to receive funding of around $90,000 to $150,000
• send images of fake certificates, documents or packages to seem more legitimate
• ask for personal details
• say you must pay a fee by wire transfer, gift card or into a debit card they send you, before you can get your funding.

How to protect yourself

• If you receive a call or email about a grant or funding that you did not apply for, be cautious or hang up immediately. We do not cold call the public to offer grants, or charge a fee to release grant funds
• If you aren’t sure if a call, text, social media message or email is legitimate, consider contacting the relevant department directly using contact details from a trusted source
• Never give your personal login or credit card details over the phone or via email as scammers may use them to commit identity fraud or steal your money
• If you have already provided information 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(Opens external website) details
• Read the what to do if you've been scammed(Opens external website) information on ScamWatch

We will never:

• contact you on social media
• ask for your online banking login
• ask for your myGov login
• ask you to download software
• ask you to transfer money
• ask you to set up a bank account with a specific provider to receive funding
• cold call members of the public to offer grant funding.

Report the scam

You can report scams to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) from the Scamwatch Report a scam(Opens external website) page.

You can also report scams specific to us or the Community Grants Hub to fraud@dss.gov.au or call 1800 054 312.

Report a Facebook profile or page pretending to be you or someone else through the Facebook Help Centre(Opens external website).

More information

Visit ScamWatch(Opens external website) and find out how to stop and avoid scams(Opens external website).

Visit the National Anti-Scam Centre(Opens external website).

Contact us through our contact form(Opens external website).