What the scam text message looks like
The scam text message says you can order a free COVID-19 test kit because you’ve been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case. It also includes a link where you can order your free kit.
These scam text messages are impersonating the Australian Government, Medicare and myGov.
What the scam does
If you click on the link, it will take you to a fake ‘Australian Government’ website. The website will ask you to ‘book now’ for a free COVID-19 testing kit.
You may then see a fake myGov or Medicare website that asks you to provide your personal information. This may include asking for your banking details. The scammers use this to steal information and money.
How to tell if it’s a scam
Although we do send text messages to people, we only do this for things like:
- reminding you to go to appointments
- letting you know we’ve paid you
- confirming changes to your details
- letting you know you’ve got a new myGov Inbox message.
We won’t include links in text messages.
What to do if you got this scam text message
If you’ve got a suspicious text message, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and report the scam.
You should call the Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk straight away, if you’ve:
- opened a link in a suspicious text
- given someone you don’t know your myGov or other personal details
- replied to a suspicious text.
Next Steps
Find out:
- how to know if something is a scam
- how to protect yourself against scams
- what to do if a scam has affected you.