They know your details – it’s a scam

IMAGINE you’re sitting at home when the phone rings and the person on the line says they’re from Medicare.

They know your name and address, and they tell you you’re owed a refund.

All you need to do is make a small initial payment to cover administration fees, and they’ll deposit the rebate into your bank account.

What would you do? “Hang up the phone,” Emma Cuthbert from the Department of Human Services said. “This is a scam. We’d never ask you to pay us money to issue you with a rebate.”

Telephone scams can seem very convincing, especially when the scammer knows details about you.

“We do call, SMS or email people from time to time and may ask questions to confirm they are speaking to the correct person,” Ms Cuthbert said. “But our staff never ask you to provide personal information or documents by email, text message or social media.”

It’s easy to get access to landline numbers and older people are more likely to have a landline and be home to answer the phone.

“One of the most common scams older Australians call about is the promise of an increase in their pension,” Ms Cuthbert said.

“Scammers promise back payment of their pension, but only after they pay a small application fee using gift cards. People may also be told the application fee will be refunded later.”

If you think your identity documents might have been compromised, Ms Cuthbert said to contact the Department of Human Services’ scams and identity theft helpdesk on 1800 941 126.