Major overhaul under way for myGovID, what you need to know

The myGovID app, that is used to verify who you are to access government online services, will change its name to myID in November.

The renaming is intended to reduce confusion between the current myGovID app and myGov, a popular platform used to link and access services like Medicare and the Australian Tax Office.

The existing myGovID app will automatically update to its new name and existing accountholders do not need to set up a new myID with login details to remain the same.

The myGovID app has been used by more than 13 million people to verify their online identity.

The app is used to access more than 150 services for business and personal matters including Centrelink, Housing Connect, myGov and the Unique Student Identifier portal.

As the name change takes place, the ATO is also advising users to watch out for scammers using fake websites or apps that look like myGovID or myID and to make sure to download the app from official app stores including Google Play and the App Store.

Users should also not click on suspicious links, open attachments or download files from suspicious emails or SMS.

A hyperlink will never be sent through an unsolicited SMS by the ATO.

Suspicious myGovID activity could be reported to the government's support line.