Category: Centrelink Fraud

Being prosecuted for a criminal or traffic offence can be a nerve-wracking experience. You may be unfamiliar with the process, unsure of the best way forward and concerned about the outcome. But whether you are charged with a less-serious matter such as drug possession, drink driving or common assault, or accused of something as serious ...

When Centrelink tweeted the Lifeline suicide helpline number in December, many began to realise the magnitude of the problems with the agency’s debt recovery initiative. Social media posts painted a concerning picture of an understaffed, under-resourced agency that could not cope with the pressure of its campaign to quickly recover alleged debts. At least 70,000 ...

Fraud offences are on the increase, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Figures from July this year show that the crime rate for fraud has been steadily increasing over the previous two years, at a rate of around 20.7%. This is higher than just about any other offence, making fraud ...

Fraudulently obtaining payments through Centrelink is a Commonwealth offence and can come with serious penalties. Like most other Commonwealth offences, all Centrelink fraud cases in Australia are prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP). Centrelink fraud can cover a range of different activities. Here are some examples of real-life Centrelink fraud cases that ...

If you have been overpaid by Centrelink you will have a debt raised against you. Even if you have done nothing wrong, or the overpayment was a result of a genuine mistake on your part, you will still be required to pay back the outstanding amount. Unfortunately, in many cases, this can cause considerable financial ...

White collar crime is a type of fraud which is usually committed against corporations or organisations. Generally, white collar crime is committed by employees of these organisations. Although there are a number of penalties that you can receive if you are convicted of this type of crime, they are generally not as severe as if ...

There’s no doubt that public transport smartcards are convenient for commuters who take public transport regularly, saving them money and time queuing for tickets. But along with the convenience comes a hidden cost, with recent reports revealing that data from travel cards like the NSW Opal card is being used by police and other government ...

If you have been overpaid by Centrelink, you could find yourself facing an investigation and possibly criminal charges for fraud. The exact nature of the charges and the likely penalty will depend on the circumstances and the amount of money in question. Unlike many criminal offences which are prosecuted by the police or the state ...

If Centrelink has overpaid you as a result of a deliberate attempt to obtain payments you weren’t entitled to, you could find yourself facing fraud charges. Offences against federal government organisations such as Centrelink are treated as Commonwealth offences, and are dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The penalties for fraud against ...

If you have received an overpayment from Centrelink, or any other government organisation, you may be charged with a criminal offence, depending on the circumstances. Offences involving Centrelink are classified as Commonwealth Offences, which means that they are dealt with under the Criminal Code Act. What is a Centrelink overpayment? A Centrelink overpayment can happen ...