FGSD Grant
The Department of Finance has received advice that members of the public are receiving emails purporting to be the Department of Finance, advising they have been made eligible for an ‘FGSD’ grant. The email requests personal details in exchange for an ANZ bank card with the ‘FGSD’ grant money.
This email does not come from Finance, nor is it endorsed by Finance.
Finance does not and will never request personal details from individuals.
If you have received this email or any similar correspondence, we suggest that you cease contact and report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au
Gexchain & Maticdex
The Department of Finance has received advice that two bitcoin websites, Gexchain and Maticdex, are purporting to be licensed and run by Finance. Via Facebook, users are being shown a promotion, advertised by the website, offering free bitcoin.
The scam requires users to pay a verification fee, premium member fee, tax and insurance fee in order to withdraw the free bitcoin from their newly created account. Once the fees have been paid by the user, they are unable to access their free bitcoins or account.
This website is not licensed nor endorsed by Finance.
If you have created an account or paid money to any bitcoin website purporting to be chartered by Finance, we suggest that you report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au.
Royal Community Giveaway
The Department of Finance has received advice that a number Facebook users have had their accounts hacked and their friends messaged regarding a cash prize scam. Via Messenger, Facebook users are told they are the beneficiary of the ‘Royal Community Giveaway’ cash prize and they are asked to click a link to redeem the prize. The scam requires users to disclose personal information and pay a ‘government tax’ to claim the prize. There is also documentation purporting to be from Finance and the former Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.
These documents are fraudulent and this request does not come from, nor is it endorsed by Finance.
Do not complete this form and do not provide any personal details.
Finance does not and will never request personal details from individuals.
Should you receive any such message in the future, we suggest that you report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au.
AMP Capital Bank COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Funds emails
Finance is aware that there are currently emails in circulation claiming to be from the AMP Capital Bank, advising that the Department of Finance has selected individuals to be recipients of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.
The email header features the Department of Finance government crest and is titled COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Funds Approval Notice. The email instructs the recipient to login to AMP Capital Bank or click a link to access funds in a new account. It also asks recipients to provide personal information, including their full name, address, phone number and date of birth.
This email does not come from the Department of Finance.
Finance does not and will never request personal details from individuals.
Do not attempt to click any links in this email or provide any personal details.
Please refer any suspicious correspondence to Scamwatch.gov.au.
Payment in exchange for depositing funds letters
We are aware that some individuals have received documentation purporting to be from the Department of Finance regarding payment in exchange for depositing funds into a nominated bank account.
The letter should be disregarded as it did not originate from the Department of Finance.
We suggest that you refer suspicious correspondence to Scamwatch.gov.au.
Comcover non-refundable loan emails
The Department of Finance has received advice of individuals and businesses receiving emails purporting to be from Comcover. The email is titled Non-refundable loan approved for your company, and asks the recipient to download and complete an attached form and fax it back in order to receive a $50,000 support loan.
This request does not come from Comcover or the Department of Finance.
Do not open this attachment, it will download malicious software onto your computer.
Comcover is the Australian Government’s general insurance fund and is not responsible for the distribution of any stimulus package funds.
Further information about this scam can be found on the SCAMwatch website: Comcover non-refundable loan email.
Should you receive any such email in the future, we suggest that you report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au.
For general enquiries contact us.
Comcover notices seeking payment of insurance
We have received advice that some individuals have received documentation purporting to be from the Department of Finance enclosing a Supreme Court judgement. The documentation requests that the recipient make a payment of insurance to Comcover.
This request does not come from Comcover or the Department of Finance. We suggest that you refer suspicious correspondence to Scamwatch.gov.au.
Financial Situation Statement emails
We have received advice of individuals receiving emails purporting to be from the Australian Government and the Department of Finance (Finance). This email asks the recipient to complete and submit a Financial Situation Statement. This includes providing identification documents including your driver's license and passport details.
This request does not come from Finance.
Do not complete this form and do not provide any personal details.
Finance does not and will never request personal details from individuals.
If you have received any such email in the future, you should report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au.
For general enquiries contact us.
Reclaims, Bank Fee Refund, Fraud calls
The Department of Finance has received advice of citizens receiving cold calls from a "financial department of Australia", "reclaims department" or "bank reclaim experts" (including other variations) in regards to supposed bank fee refunds, or money that was owed by the Australian Government.
Finance did not authorise this call and we understand that it is a telephone scam currently taking place across the country.
Finance is not calling individuals regarding any form of unclaimed funds.
Finance never calls people asking for personal information or money.
Further information about this scam can be found on the SCAMwatch website: Scammers pose as government & banks offering to reclaim overcharged bank fees.
Should you receive any such call in the future, we suggest that you report the incident to Scamwatch.gov.au.
For general enquiries contact us.
