Self-described charities claiming to be linked to the Australian government are offering grants of thousands of dollars to cash-strapped Facebook users.
The organisations are directing applicants to log into their myGov account by entering their username and password.
However, the myGov page is fake and there are no handouts.
AAP FactCheck has discovered several Facebook pages which direct users to the website of an organisation called Australian Non-Proft Commission (ANPC).
From that website users are directed to “apply now” for the grants. This takes users to the fake myGov sign-in page.
Most of the Facebook pages are called Australian Non Profit Commision, ANPC or something similar, examples here, here, here, here, here, and here.
This January 16 post from one of the pages, reads: “Funding Assistance Available – Up to $10,000, No Repayment Needed!”
“Facing financial challenges? We’re here to help,” reads this post on a page called Mission Australia. “Australia non-profit commission offers non-repayable funding up to $30,000. Secure the stability you deserve, apply now and let us help you thrive!”
The various Facebook pages direct users to the ANPC website (archived here)
The ANPC describes itself as a non-governmental and non-proft organisation that is “a dedicated and passionate organization committed to making a positive impact in our communities”.
Other than the website and Facebook pages, AAP FactCheck could find no mention of the organisation, despite its use of federal government imagery, logos and even the Australian Commonwealth coat of arms.
One such post, which has since been deleted, features the logo of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the charities regulator.
In the post, the word commission is incorrectly spelt with only one ‘s’.
The ACNC said it is not affiliated with ANPC and was unaware of its existence.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission also said it was not familiar with the organisation.
“The entity does not appear to be registered with ASIC, nor can I see it is registered with an ABN, overseen by the ATO,” the financial regulator told AAP FactCheck in an email.
The ANPC website’s cover image features a cheque presentation. But rather than having anything to do with grants in Australia, the photo is from a US insurance company’s 2019 golf tournament in Hawaii.
The ANPC website features a single landing page with multiple buttons encouraging users to “apply now”.
This takes users to the supposed myGov sign-in page.
It has been designed to look like the actual myGov page with the same aqua-coloured banner and federal government and myGov logos
The footer also has the same acknowledgement of traditional custodians and four links: terms of use, privacy and security, copyright and accessibility.
However, unlike the actual myGov sign-in page, you cannot click on the links.
The only options available on the page are to create a new myGov account or to submit your myGov details.
On one occasion when AAP FactCheck tested the sign-in process, the page simply refreshed once a username and password had been submitted.
On another occasion, it prompted the user to fill in further details, including residential address and bank details.
Services Australia confirmed to AAP FactCheck the log-in page is fake, pointing to the URL as a giveaway.
“People should only use myGov by entering my-dot-gov-dot-au into a web browser, or using the official myGov app,” the representative said.
The are other signs not everything is what is claimed across the various Facebook pages and the ANPC website.
This image of a woman and two boys used by two of the Facebook accounts (here and here) has been taken from this October 2023 post by Carers Australia, the national peak body representing unpaid carers.
This image, which featured as the banner on one of the now-deleted pages, has been taken from the website of US law firm Howard & Howard.
Other images, such as here and here, have been taken directly off the Services Australia social media.
One of the accounts, which bills itself as Mission Australia, also uses Services Australia’s Facebook page cover photo.
The page also uses various imagery, artwork and graphics from the actual Mission Australia homelessness charity.
A representative from the organisation said the page had nothing to do with the actual charity.
The Verdict
The claim that charity organisations are offering cash-strapped Australians thousands of dollars in hand-outs through their myGov account is false.
The self-described charities direct users to fake myGov log-in pages where users are prompted to fill in personal details, including bank account information.
The charities regulator and government agencies have said the scheme is fake.
False – The claim is inaccurate.
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