Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to trick people into clicking malicious links and stealing personal data. One of the latest scams involves fake messages pretending to be from the Australian Government.
Scam Messages Posing as ‘GOV’
Scamwatch has received numerous reports about fraudulent text messages sent from a sender labelled ‘GOV’. These messages claim to provide information on COVID-19 testing locations and urge recipients to click a link for details.
These messages are not legitimate. Clicking on the link could install malicious software on your device. This malware may be designed to steal your banking information or other sensitive data.
How to Protect Yourself from This Scam
To stay safe from this type of cyber threat, follow these tips:
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Delete suspicious messages immediately. Do not click on any links.
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Hover over links before clicking. This allows you to view the actual URL (usually displayed at the bottom of your browser). If the web address looks suspicious or unfamiliar, don’t open it.
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Search directly for trustworthy sources. Instead of clicking a link in a message, use a search engine to find the official information.
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Ask someone you trust. If in doubt, talk through the message with a family member or friend.
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Verify with the source. Visit the official website of the organisation the message claims to be from, and use their contact details to check if it’s legitimate.
As of now, the Australian Government has not sent any text messages about COVID-19 safety or testing locations. Always be cautious and verify information through trusted sources.
What to Do If You’re Affected
If you suspect that you’ve received or responded to a scam:
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Visit Scamwatch for advice and updates.
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If you have suffered financial loss or believe your personal information has been compromised, report it to ReportCyber.
For more information on how to spot a scam, please click here for our previous article.
