Caller said to ring centrelink on (02) 8607 5608, to ensure pension payments will be back paid. Scam ????

Also had same reference number given of 080456 and to contact this number. Definitely a scam. DO NOT GIVE ANY MONEY!!

Just got same call a recorded message, same details, said they'd tried several times to contact me and I hadnt responded so they'd sent my 'application' to Canberra. I dont have a application, so I knew it was a scam. Reporting to ScamWatch.

Said they were Human Services and gave ph. no. to call back (02) 8607 5608 in Canberra. Don't usually fall for these but this one was convincing. Rang the number and was put on hold with music - hung up after 30 secs as may have been a Premium number. Scam?? Reporting to ScamWatch

Yes, this is definitely a scam. Centrelink (or any other government agency) would never ask you to pay a debt with iTunes or prepaid Credit Cards. If in doubt, look up the phone number on their website and call them from that, rather than on the number they give you.

Yep happen to me just then and thought Centrelink give me nothing.... so I know it's a scam.

Got the same message - total scam. A recorded message was left on the phone saying Centrelink had tried to contact us several times (but normally they would send a letter if it were the case) and they gave us a reference number 080456 and to call Canberra head office. Sounded convincing at first to be honest but something did not feel right. Thankful this forum exists!

I too have just received this recorded message with back pymts and ref: no 80456 phone no Canberra (02) 8607 5068. 12.12.2016

My elderly housebound mother had a call claiming to be from Centrelink. Same spiel as related by others here: given a reference number and a phone number to call. Told that Centrelink owed her a 4-figure sum, but they required a $300 iTunes card (!) before making the payment. Told that someone would call around after 9am next working day.

As she had current dealings with Centrelink, she was initially taken in, and was very distressed at the end of the process. Took her to the local police station to file a report on these vile scum.

Just listened to my messages and found a message claiming to be centrelink and telling me to call (02) 8607 5068 with reference number 080456...... Even is Centrelink did call us they wouldn't never have a computer leave a message without even saying who they were trying to contact for a start.

Very convincing scam. I feel violated. Did not get to lose money that I know of.

I was also given the same information who do we lodge a complaint with?

just had the same call did not fall for it

had the same call but did not fall for it

Most definitely a scam, same reference number 080456
These people need to get a life, i knew it wasn't right because centrelink keeps you waiting on the line for up to an hour, i called the number and i spoke to someone within a minute... that never happens with centrelink :)

Received recorded message to call back (02) 8607 5068 with ref 080456 saying about an under payment of pension Centrlink owed me. Rang back and was answered by a real person with Indian accent, who asked for personal information and told a person would be sent to my address to deliver a cheque. I said I would ring Centrelink to clarify and the persona hung up. Watch out. It is a scam. They prey on elderly. I reported to Centrelink and Scam Watch.

A man name Jason, who sound very foreign, tried their modus operandi to us. When he was being queried where he is from, he became agro and hang up. Do notentertain these people. It's a scam.

I got the same recorded message and am a DVA man- not involved with Centrelink at all. I was party to a call to a friend re his computer being hacked recently and I was immediately suspicious and asked for a return phone number to call and was given one which was very similar to this one and we did nothing . No response - surprise surprise!

This is a scam!!! They leave a recorded message on the phone of a pensioner saying their file has been transferred to Canberra and to contact them. When they do a person(usually Indian or Asian) will advise that there is backpay owing to them and they will arrange to have this delivered in a cheque to your home. But there is a registration fee of $400. This will be reimbursed (added to the backpay amount) but it must be paid to the person delivering the cheque in the form of Apple/ iTunes cards. Original caller must then be contacted again to activate the cards.

Same message - papers sent, phone calls unanswered, re pension back payments, so details now wanted in Canberra. Checked this No. (02) 8607 0068 in Google and - what do you know - it is a scam!