• ·         From:AAP
• ·         June 01, 2012 7:14PM

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VETERANS are being ripped off by scammers posing as government officials promising carbon tax compensation and asking for their personal details.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs chief Ian Campbell said his department had been alerted by a number of veterans who had been asked for personal information so they could receive the payments.

In some cases the “cowardly” scammers said they were from Veterans Affairs, he said.

“These ‘offers’ are false and my department is investigating these incidents,” Mr Campbell said in a statement today.

“There is no need for veterans to be asked for personal information, such as banking details, over the phone in order to receive their household assistance from the government.”

Mr Campbell said anyone who encounters a suspected scammer should contact the DVA on 133 254 or 1800 555 254.