Is That myGov Email Real? How to Check

Fake myGov emails are one of the top phishing scams in Australia. Scammers create convincing replicas of myGov communications to steal your login credentials and personal information.

How myGov Phishing Works

You receive an email that looks like it's from myGov. It typically asks you to:

• "Verify your identity" by clicking a link
• "Update your payment details" for a Centrelink or Medicare payment
• "Confirm your account" to avoid suspension
• "Claim a refund" by entering your banking details

The link takes you to a fake myGov login page that captures your credentials.

Red Flags in Fake myGov Emails

• Links to log in: Real myGov emails tell you to log in directly at my.gov.au
• Urgency: "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours"
• Sender address: Check carefully — scammers use addresses like mygov-au.com or mygov.support
• Grammar and spelling errors: Official communications are carefully proofread
• Generic greetings: "Dear Customer" instead of your name

How Real myGov Communicates

myGov only sends emails to notify you that you have a new message in your myGov inbox. These emails:

1. Never contain links to log in — they tell you to visit my.gov.au directly
2. Never ask for personal information
3. Come from noreply@my.gov.au

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious myGov Email

1. Don't click any links in the email
2. Check your myGov inbox — log in directly at my.gov.au
3. Report the email — forward it to scams@servicesaustralia.gov.au
4. Report to Scamwatch — Visit scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 795 995
5. Use Ask Arthur — Paste the email content into askarthur.au for instant analysis

If You've Already Clicked a Link

If you've entered your credentials on a fake site:

1. Change your myGov password immediately at my.gov.au
2. Enable multi-factor authentication in your myGov settings
3. Contact Services Australia on 136 150 (Centrelink) or 132 011 (Medicare)
4. Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for identity theft support
5. Monitor your bank accounts for unauthorised transactions