Government Warns of NDIS Scam
11 February 2013 at 2:53 pm
The Federal Government has warned people to beware of contact from anyone claiming to work for the Government who tries to make them pay an administration fee to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas, issued a joint statement in which they warned people against falling for the scam.
“These claims are false,” the statement said.
“There is no need for people to pay a fee to join the National Disability Insurance Scheme.”
The Federal Government is investing $1 billion to launch the first stage of the NDIS in five sites across the country from July this year.
The NDIS Launch Transition Agency will deliver the first stage of the NDIS and in the lead up to launch will communicate with many people with disability in the launch sites.
However, the government has confirmed that the Agency will not be seeking fees from anyone to participate in the scheme.
“People should be very wary of anyone asking for payments for Government schemes, including the NDIS,” the statement said.
“If people are concerned that their privacy has been breached or they have provided personal details as a result of one of these calls, they should report it to the police.”
A Government spokesperson says the scam appears to have originated in Queanbeyan in the ACT and anyone who has been approached should contact their local police.
Suspected scams can be reported to the Government’s Scamwatch website or by calling 1300 795 995.
Further queries about the NDIS scam can be sent to helpdesk.fraud@fahcsia.gov.au
