myGov scam message examples
Example scam messages
myGov: Your Centrelink payments have been placed on hold pending an identity check. Restore access now at mygov-restore[.]example or your account will be suspended.
What gives it away:
- Real myGov texts only announce a new Inbox message and never contain a link, so the link alone settles it
- The domain is not my.gov.au; hyphenated or reworded variants are the classic lookalike trick
- A payment hold that can supposedly only be fixed through a text link is manufactured pressure; a genuine issue would be waiting in your myGov Inbox
Subject: Action required: your myGov account is locked. We detected unusual sign-in activity on your account. Confirm your identity at my-gov-signin[.]example today or your tax records will be permanently archived.
What gives it away:
- Genuine notices sit in your myGov Inbox, which you reach by typing my.gov.au yourself, not through an emailed sign-in link
- The lookalike domain adds hyphens and extra words to the real name
- The threat of losing tax records is bait; nothing in myGov disappears because you ignored an email
How to check a message you've received
Never tap a link in an unexpected message. Instead, paste the text into the free message checker for an instant verdict, or check a suspicious link with the link & website checker. To verify directly, contact myGov through its official app or the number on its real website — never the details in the message itself.
Understand the scam and the brand
Not sure about a message?
Paste it in and get an instant scam verdict with the exact red flags highlighted — free, no signup.
Frequently asked questions
Is this myGov message real or a scam?
The messages on this page are defanged examples of myGov impersonation scams — real reported patterns, not genuine myGov messages. To judge a specific message you've received, paste it into the free Scam Scanner checker for an instant verdict, or verify it directly through myGov's official app or website.
How can I tell a fake myGov message from a genuine one?
Genuine messages: Genuine myGov SMS show the sender ID 'myGov' — but scammers can spoof sender IDs, so judge the message, not the name it appears under. The examples below break down the tells that give a fake away — unexpected links, urgency, and requests for payment or details. If anything asks you to click a link or hand over information, treat it as suspicious until you've verified it independently.
What should I do if I already clicked a link or paid?
Act quickly: contact your bank, then follow the step-by-step recovery guide at /what-to-do. It walks you through who to contact — your bank, IDCARE and the right reporting channel — in the order that matters most.