The Department of Social Services (DSS) recently received reports that members of the public have been contacted via email by an individual or individuals claiming that there is a “secure message” from DSS. If you receive the below email, please delete it and do not select or open any attachments or links.
DSS officers do not:
- contact members of the public seeking personal information
- email members of the public without them having contacted DSS.
It is a serious matter to impersonate a Commonwealth public official, and may be considered a criminal offence in some circumstances.
What to do if approached or if you need assistance
If approached in this manner, do not give any personal information. If you are uncomfortable with the nature of the email do not attempt to engage with the individual/individuals.
We encourage you to report incidents of this nature to Scamwatch(Opens in a new tab/window).
If you have already provided information to a caller or are concerned that a crime has been or may be committed, please contact the police or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
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