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Scam Alert: Fake Government Grant Cold-Calls

D4/2010

6 September 2010

Scammers claiming to represent the Australian Government have been targeting Australians.

The Department has identified a cold-call scam operation where the scammer announces themselves as the Australian Government Grants Department and claims ownership of the Government’s www.grantslink.gov.au website.

The scammers have personal details of those they call and offer grants services or grants upon payment.

The scam calls may include:

  • mention of an ‘Australian Government Grants Department’;
  • a claim of ownership of the Government’s www.grantslink.gov.au website;
  • requests for $4000.00 to ‘contribute to charities to pay off a government debt’;
  • requests for a fee of $199.00 to release grant funding; and
  • the names of prominent Australians. 

The Department DOES NOT cold call offering grants.

The Government DOES NOT charge a fee to release grant funding.

The www.grantslink.gov.au website is an information portal ONLY and DOES NOT provide grant funding.

There is NO central ‘Australian Government Grants Department’.

If you receive a suspicious call take care with any information you provide and if unsure call our call-centre on 1800 026 222 (toll free).

www.scamwatch.gov.au contains useful information on how to spot a scam.

Departmental Media Contact: 1300 732 749 or media@infrastructure.gov.au


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Last Updated: 6 September, 2010