Australians have been warned about a cruel scam website that claims to promote a “cost-of-living bonus payment” from Centrelink. The scam, which has been circulating online, promises unsuspecting pensioners a lump sum payment to help them cope with the rising cost of living. However, the website is actually a phishing scam designed to steal sensitive information from vulnerable individuals.

The fake website, which bears a striking resemblance to the official Centrelink site, asks users to provide their personal and financial details in order to claim the bonus payment. The scammers then use this information to steal the victim’s identity and access their bank accounts.

The Australian government has confirmed that the website is a scam and has urged pensioners to be cautious when clicking on links or providing information online. “We are aware of a scam website that is circulating online, claiming to offer a cost-of-living bonus payment from Centrelink,” a government spokesperson said. “We urge all Australians to be vigilant and to never provide personal or financial information to unfamiliar websites.”

This is not the first time that scammers have targeted Australian pensioners. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of scams targeting vulnerable individuals, including fake lotteries, investment scams, and phishing scams.

To avoid falling victim to these types of scams, pensioners are advised to be cautious when clicking on links or providing information online. It is also important to verify the authenticity of any website or email before providing sensitive information. The Australian government offers a range of resources and advice on how to stay safe online, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Scamwatch website.

Centrelink has also warned pensioners to be aware of the scam and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. “We take the security of our customers’ information very seriously,” a Centrelink spokesperson said. “We urge all pensioners to be cautious when clicking on links or providing information online and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.”