July 28, 2016
South Burnett residents have been warned not to respond to a scam letter demanding a $168 payment for failure to vote at the July 2 Federal Election.
The letter, which carries the Queensland Government’s logo, is designed to look authentic but says payment of the “fine” can only be made through the Internet.
The letter claims to be from the Australian Electoral Commission of Queensland, a non-existent body.
The Australian Electoral Commission and the Australian Federal Police have been made aware of the letter, and have warned anyone who receives it not to act on it.
To add to the confusion, the Electoral Commission of Queensland last week sent out Apparent Failure to Vote Notices seeking a $58 payment for failing to vote at the March 19 Council elections.
While most of the letters were sent to people who failed to vote, some people who did vote have received the letters as well.
ECQ Commissioner Walter van der Merwe said the $58 payment request letter from the ECQ was a legitimate document, but an internal error had seen some voters mistakenly fined.
He said a letter of apology would be sent to those wrongly fined in the next few days advising them not to worry about paying.
For anyone who had already paid the fine, Mr van der Merwe said a refund would be provided.
