NDIS Fraud Surges: Fake Website Scams Clients as Budget Boosts Prevention
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been targeted by fraudsters, costing Australian taxpayers billions annually. A fake website, 'australianagedanddisabilitycare', has been impersonating a genuine Sydney-based provider, Australian Disability and Aged Care (ADACare), to scam NDIS clients. Meanwhile, efforts to combat NDIS fraud have received a significant boost in the latest federal budget.
Common NDIS fraud methods include creating fake invoices (ghosting), physical threats, and over-charging. The NDIS Fraud Taskforce has successfully prosecuted local syndicates but faces challenges investigating offshore cases. A Melbourne-based healthcare startup, Kismet, has received AUD4 million to develop software helping NDIS clients track funding and view verified providers, which could aid in fraud prevention.
The fake website 'australianagedanddisabilitycare' asks for personal information, including NDIS numbers and existing plans. Phone calls to the provided Australian mobile number went unanswered. The website is believed to be registered in Arizona and hosted by Google Sites, making investigation difficult. Some suggest NDIS clients approving and signing off on invoices above a certain amount could help combat fraud.
NDIS fraud is a serious issue, with estimates suggesting it costs Australian taxpayers billions annually. The Australian Government has allocated AUD48.3 million in the 2023/24 Federal Budget to combat cyber-criminals targeting NDIS clients. As the NDIS continues to grow, so too will the need for robust fraud prevention measures.
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