array(1) { [0]=> &object(stdClass)#5383 (52) { ["id"]=> string(5) "15670" ["title"]=> string(37) "Capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic" ["alias"]=> string(37) "capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["introtext"]=> string(208) "

More time at home means many Australians now have the opportunity to re-assess their lifestyle and spending habits and set some serious saving goals. So how can you actually go about it?

" ["fulltext"]=> string(1236) "

In this episode of The nestegg Podcast, host Grace Ormsby is joined by Melbourne-based Reventon’s Billie Christofi to talk all things finance and the impact of isolation on our hip pockets.

In stage 4 lockdown, Billie shares the importance of going back to basics when it comes to budgeting, methods to re-assess spending habits, and some of the less conventional ways people can boost their wealth at this time.

Thanks Billie, for sharing your insights with the nestegg podcast team!

Have an investment story to share? Get in touch at [email protected] and you might get featured on an upcoming episode!

" ["checked_out"]=> string(1) "0" ["checked_out_time"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["catid"]=> string(3) "302" ["created"]=> string(19) "2020-09-01 07:00:26" ["created_by"]=> string(4) "2386" ["created_by_alias"]=> string(0) "" ["state"]=> string(1) "1" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["modified_by"]=> string(4) "2386" ["modified_by_name"]=> string(12) "Grace Ormsby" ["publish_up"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["publish_down"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["images"]=> string(218) "{"image_intro":"images\/podcasts\/Billie_Christofi_WEB_ne.jpg","float_intro":"","image_intro_alt":"","image_intro_caption":"","image_fulltext":"","float_fulltext":"","image_fulltext_alt":"","image_fulltext_caption":""}" ["urls"]=> string(121) "{"urla":false,"urlatext":"","targeta":"","urlb":false,"urlbtext":"","targetb":"","urlc":false,"urlctext":"","targetc":""}" ["attribs"]=> string(782) "{"article_layout":"","show_title":"","link_titles":"","show_tags":"","show_intro":"","info_block_position":"","info_block_show_title":"","show_category":"","link_category":"","show_parent_category":"","link_parent_category":"","show_associations":"","show_author":"","link_author":"","show_create_date":"","show_modify_date":"","show_publish_date":"","show_item_navigation":"","show_icons":"","show_print_icon":"","show_email_icon":"","show_vote":"","show_hits":"","show_noauth":"","urls_position":"","alternative_readmore":"","article_page_title":"","video_url":"","channel_id":"UCLBR-2LtTtui_WiRuEfW3qA","show_publishing_options":"","show_article_options":"","show_urls_images_backend":"","show_urls_images_frontend":"","send":"0","test":"0","readingDiff":"3","canonical_link":""}" ["metadata"]=> string(68) "{"robots":"","author":"","rights":"","xreference":"","metatitle":""}" ["metakey"]=> string(105) "podcast, savings, financial goals, financial freedom, lockdown, pandemic, wealth, wealth creation, saving" ["metadesc"]=> string(186) "More time at home means many Australians now have the opportunity to re-assess their lifestyle and spending habits and set some serious saving goals. So how can you actually go about it?" ["access"]=> string(1) "1" ["hits"]=> string(4) "1939" ["xreference"]=> string(0) "" ["featured"]=> string(1) "0" ["language"]=> string(1) "*" ["readmore"]=> string(4) "1236" ["ordering"]=> string(1) "0" ["category_title"]=> string(7) "Podcast" ["category_route"]=> string(17) "resources/podcast" ["category_access"]=> string(1) "1" ["category_alias"]=> string(7) "podcast" ["published"]=> string(1) "1" ["parents_published"]=> string(1) "1" ["lft"]=> string(2) "82" ["author"]=> string(12) "Grace Ormsby" ["author_email"]=> string(33) "[email protected]" ["parent_title"]=> string(9) "Resources" ["parent_id"]=> string(3) "300" ["parent_route"]=> string(9) "resources" ["parent_alias"]=> string(9) "resources" ["alternative_readmore"]=> NULL ["layout"]=> NULL ["params"]=> object(Joomla\Registry\Registry)#5392 (3) { ["data":protected]=> object(stdClass)#5387 (95) { ["article_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_titles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_intro"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["link_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_associations"]=> string(1) "0" ["flags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_author"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_create_date"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_modify_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_publish_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_item_navigation"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_vote"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["readmore_limit"]=> string(3) "100" ["show_tags"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_icons"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_print_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_email_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["record_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_noauth"]=> string(1) "0" ["urls_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["captcha"]=> string(0) "" ["show_publishing_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_article_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["save_history"]=> string(1) "1" ["history_limit"]=> int(10) ["show_urls_images_frontend"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_urls_images_backend"]=> string(1) "1" ["targeta"]=> int(0) ["targetb"]=> int(0) ["targetc"]=> int(0) ["float_intro"]=> string(4) "left" ["float_fulltext"]=> string(5) "right" ["category_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_category_heading_title_text"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_description"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_description_image"]=> string(1) "0" ["maxLevel"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_no_articles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_subcat_desc"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_cat_tags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_base_description"]=> string(1) "1" ["maxLevelcat"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories_cat"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcat_desc_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["num_leading_articles"]=> string(2) "14" ["num_intro_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_columns"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_links"]=> string(1) "0" ["multi_column_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcategory_content"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_pagination_limit"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter_field"]=> string(4) "hide" ["show_headings"]=> string(1) "1" ["list_show_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["date_format"]=> string(0) "" ["list_show_hits"]=> string(1) "0" ["list_show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["orderby_pri"]=> string(4) "none" ["orderby_sec"]=> string(5) "rdate" ["order_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["show_pagination"]=> string(1) "2" ["show_pagination_results"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_featured"]=> string(4) "show" ["show_feed_link"]=> string(1) "1" ["feed_summary"]=> string(1) "0" ["feed_show_readmore"]=> string(1) "0" ["sef_advanced"]=> int(1) ["sef_ids"]=> int(1) ["custom_fields_enable"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_page_heading"]=> NULL ["layout_type"]=> string(4) "blog" ["menu_text"]=> int(1) ["menu_show"]=> int(1) ["page_title"]=> string(70) "Save Money - Tips and Strategies to Reach your Savings Goals | nestegg" ["menu-meta_description"]=> string(144) "Take control of your finances with our comprehensive tips and guides to debt consolidation, expenses, budgeting, savings account and tax saving." ["secure"]=> int(0) ["page_description"]=> string(7) "nestegg" ["page_rights"]=> NULL ["robots"]=> NULL ["page_heading"]=> string(70) "Save Money - Tips and Strategies to Reach your Savings Goals | nestegg" ["access-view"]=> bool(true) } ["initialized":protected]=> bool(true) ["separator"]=> string(1) "." } ["displayDate"]=> string(19) "2020-09-02 02:50:12" ["slug"]=> string(43) "15670:capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["catslug"]=> string(11) "302:podcast" ["link"]=> string(56) "/resources/podcast/capitalising-on-the-covid-19-pandemic" ["image"]=> string(43) "images/podcasts/Billie_Christofi_WEB_ne.jpg" ["image_alt"]=> string(0) "" } }

Latest Podcast

Capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic...

Resources

There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across ...

Save

‘Elaborate scam’ lands ATO fraudster 5 years in jail

By Grace Ormsby

October 08 2019
Share

Save

‘Elaborate scam’ lands ATO fraudster 5 years in jail

By Grace Ormsby
October 08 2019

A Brisbane man who used several aliases to lodge 62 fraudulent income tax returns and attempt to obtain more than $500,000 in tax refunds has been sentenced to five years in jail.

‘Elaborate scam’ lands ATO fraudster 5 years in jail

By Grace Ormsby

October 08 2019
Share

A Brisbane man who used several aliases to lodge 62 fraudulent income tax returns and attempt to obtain more than $500,000 in tax refunds has been sentenced to five years in jail.

The ATO has reported that Micah Robby Elstak used fake names to orchestrate an “elaborate online job scam” through a number of companies, which ultimately saw him stealing 52 taxpayer identities from August 2015 to July 2016.

After conducting fake interviews over the phone, Mr Elstak would email applicants to confirm they had been successful in applying for the job, requesting a scanned copy of their driver’s licence, bank account details, tax file numbers and shirt size.

Mr Elstak used this information to fraudulently create myGov accounts, or take over the accounts of people who already had an account.

The ATO said the fraudster would then link the myGov accounts to ATO online services and lodge fake income tax returns in their name, with resulting refunds credited to one of 63 bank accounts in Mr Elstak’s control.

Many of the taxpayers had reported the scam to the Tax Office when they discovered that the job didn’t exist.

Internal bank anti-fraud measures and efforts from the ATO and Queensland Police meant $378,099 of the $565,895 that Mr Elsak had claimed could be stopped before reaching his bank accounts.

The investigation ultimately led to Mr Elsak being charged with 106 offences in relation to the scam, and saw him sentenced to five years in prison at Brisbane District Court.

ATO assistant commissioner Ian Read welcomed the sentence that was handed down, saying: “As demonstrated today, people who try to cheat the tax system will get caught, and we will take firm action, including penalties and criminal prosecution.”

Timely reminder to ‘Stay Smart Online’

The sentencing of Mr Elsak coincides with “Stay Smart Online” week, with Mr Read reminding taxpayers to “never give out your personal identifying information unless you are certain of who you are speaking to”.

“Remember, your employer will only need details like your TFN and bank account through a TFN declaration form once you commence your employment.”

“To protect taxpayers’ information, we are also encouraging myGov users linked to the ATO to update their myGov scams sign-in options and opt to receive a security code by SMS,” the assistant commissioner offered.

“It’s a quick and secure way to sign in to access ATO online services.”

“You can help stop refund fraud,” Mr Read continued.

“If you suspect someone of being involved in tax fraud, you should report it,” he urged.

Forward this article to a friend. Follow us on Linkedin. Join us on Facebook. Find us on Twitter for the latest updates

Rate the article

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Scams

Top 10 work-from-home phishing scams revealed

Aussies who have reverted to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are being urged to be on the lookout for email scams. ...Read more

Scams

Home ownership dream shattered after $133k scam

The Western Australian government has issued a warning surrounding a new scam targeted at home buyers following a couple losing $133,000 in a payment redirection scam. ...Read more

Scams

Older Aussies at the mercy of cyber criminals: Top 5 cyber crimes revealed

As consumers shift from their usual grocery runs to online shopping, a growing number of older Australians are falling victim to cyber crime, an industry expert has warned. ...Read more

Scams

Top 10 security tips this Black Friday and Cyber Monday

With shoppers preparing themselves for mass discounts this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, experts are reminding shoppers to remain alert to online fraud. ...Read more

Scams

GST fraudster cops 5 years in jail over $5m scheme

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to five years imprisonment after conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth of more than $5 million through the goods and services tax refunds. ...Read more

Scams

Youth and migrants target in the latest threat-based scams

Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat-based scams, with young people and those in Chinese communities reporting the highest losses, new research has found. ...Read more