MyGov scam email telling Australians they are entitled to a refund | #phishing | #scams | #hacking | #aihp

Australians have been warned to beware of a new scam email pretending to be sent from myGov offering fake refunds.

Scammers have already sent the fraudulent message to thousands of accounts claiming recipients are entitled to a $736.98 refund from the government.

Recipients are instructed to click on a dubious link included in the message to access the funds.

The email has raised concern for its close attention to detail and using the myGov logo with fears that unaware recipients could be fooled by it.

The email does contain several telltale signs that it is in fact a scam.

The first giveaway is in the subject line with all words written in lowercase – a common mistake made by scammers. 

‘You have an outstanding refund from mygov,’ the subject line reads.

The second detail is the fact that emails from myGov will not ask recipients for any new information.

MyGov emails typically informs people they have a new message in their inbox.

The fraudulent email also contains several testimonials that are not typically seen in a genuine message from myGov.

‘My account does me a lot of good!’ one fake testimonial reads. ‘I can carry out my procedures online with ease.’

The warning comes after a Gold Coast couple lost their dream home and savings in an elaborate email scam.

Mitch Wilson and Penny Davies were set to move into their new family home ahead of the birth of their second child.

They received an email from their estate agent asking them to settle the deal with the final payment of $39,000 with bank details for them to transfer the cash.

But the email was a fake – and the bank account was set up by fraudsters who immediately spirited the cash away into untraceable cryptocurrency.

Now the devastated couple have been left with nothing and shattered Mr Wilson warns others: ‘It can happen to anyone.’