National Redress Scheme Communication: Suspicious activity alert for Facebook and Facebook Messenger

Quick Facts

• The National Redress Scheme has been made aware of misleading and unauthorised information being sent through Facebook and Facebook Messenger. 
• The messages are falsely offering redress outcomes to people within 24 hours or receiving personal details.
• Information about the Scheme should only be obtained from trusted sources.

What you need to do

•    Please warn applicants/survivors to be aware of any suspicious social media activity, and remind them to be cautious if asked to share bank details and personal information.
•    Encourage clients to report the incidents to Scamwatch.
•    Please provide any additional information you receive about the scam to NationalRedressScheme@dss.gov.au.

What you need to know

The department have been made aware of unauthorised messages being sent to potential redress applicants through Facebook and Facebook Messenger. The messages are offering fast redress outcomes and requesting personal information including bank details. 

The most recent and correct information about the Scheme can be found on the Scheme website. The Scheme does not contact redress applicants about their application through social media. 

RSS should be aware that their clients might be exposed to these messages and may wish to warn them of suspicious social media activity. The Scheme takes fraud very seriously and asks that any information on unauthorised, misleading or false claims about the Scheme be shared with staff. 

On average it can take 12-18 months to receive a redress outcome but may take longer.

More information

Please contact NationalRedressScheme@dss.gov.au if you have any information about the scam, or if you need more information.