Save
Taxpayers warned on tell-tale signs of a tax scam
The ATO has provided taxpayers with tips on how to identify and protect themselves from tax-related scams as fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated in recent months.
Taxpayers warned on tell-tale signs of a tax scam
The ATO has provided taxpayers with tips on how to identify and protect themselves from tax-related scams as fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated in recent months.
In an online article, the ATO said individuals should be aware that the Tax Office will never threaten them with immediate arrest, jail or deportation.
It also stated that the ATO will never call demanding immediate payment of a tax debt, ask for payment via vouchers such as iTunes and Google Play or Bitcoin, or request a fee to be paid to release a refund.
Some of the other tell-tale signs the ATO said are abusive or threatening behavior and asking for the money to be transferred to an account with a BSB that is not held with the Reserve Bank of Australia.
“We will inform you about your tax debt before it is due. You can also check if you owe us money through your myGov account, your tax agent, or by phoning us,” the ATO said.
“We provide you with a range of legitimate payment options on our website if you have a tax debt.”
The ATO also informed taxpayers that it won’t use email, text messages or social media to provide personal information such as a TFN, credit care or bank details, nor will it send downloadable files or tell individuals to install software.
Some of the typical ways that scammers may try to trick individuals, it said, is by using voice over internet protocol phone numbers to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world or spoofing phone numbers to make calls and text messages appear to come from Australia.
Scammers may also send pre-recorded messages to large numbers of people asking for an immediate call back, the ATO explained.
They may also send copycat emails with attachments or links that take individuals to fake login screens or web pages to trick you into downloading malicious software or giving them your personal information or contain programs that record your computer key strokes to get your personal information or login credentials, it warned.
Some scammers may also send ransomware or malicious software that stops your computer working until you pay a fee – often by Bitcoin.
Spoofing websites or login pages designed to access personal information and accessing public profiles on social media to learn about an individual so they can meet proof of record ownership or break their passwords are other methods used.
The ATO said that individuals should only share their personal information with people they trust and organisations with a legitimate need for it.
“You should treat requests for personal information with caution. Before providing your personal information, ask the person who calls, emails, messages or comes to your door for some identity credentials and verify the person’s credentials by calling their organisation or place of work,” it said.
It also recommended keeping personal information in a secure place and avoid carrying documents such as birth certificates or passports in handbags or wallets unless they are needed.
“Don’t store personal information, such as TFNs, passwords or PINs, in your mobile phone,” it said.
“Never leave personal papers or spare house keys in the glove box of your car. Use a locked mailbox or a post office box if you receive large volumes of mail.”
It also said to shred or destroy documents that contain any personal information.
“Make sure electronic documents containing personal information are secure. Protect these files with passwords and encryption, or use a trusted data vault website,” the ATO said.
The ATO reported back in early December last year that more than 37,000 scam attempts had been made in the month of November alone. Over $800,000 was lost to scammers impersonating the ATO that month.
It also warned investors about a sophisticated scam in early January involving fake telephone calls impersonating the Tax Practitioners Board.
The Tax Office has also had to contend with scammers impersonating registered tax agents in a bid to lend credibility to the scam.
RELATED ARTICLES
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more
Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more
Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more
Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more
Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more
Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
Scams
ANZ warns customers of potential scam surge following RBA rate cut
ANZ has issued a warning to customers about a potential rise in scam activity following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to lower the cash rate target by 25 basis points. Read more
Scams
Financial Basics Foundation warns of e-commerce ‘gamification’ targeting Gen Z shoppers
The Financial Basics Foundation has raised concerns over the impact of increasingly sophisticated digital marketing tactics on young consumers during Financial Literacy Month, highlighting the need ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read more
Scams
Navigating online money-making: Scams to avoid
In an era where the click of a button can lead to monetary gain, the internet has become a bustling marketplace for those looking to supplement their income. However, where there is opportunity, there ...Read more
Scams
Cyber criminals using interest rates as bait to trick customers
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a suspicious phone call, e-mail or text message claiming to be from a major bank and demanding your details, you’re not alone – and experts are ...Read more
Scams
ATO cracks down on $850m GST fake business fraud
A nationwide crackdown on incidents of fraud involving the creation of fake businesses to scam GST refunds from the federal government has led to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) firmly warning ...Read more
Scams
Crackdown sees more than half a billion scam calls blocked
Initiatives by telcos and the ACMA have also led to a 95 per cent reduction in reports of mobile porting fraud. Read more
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
- Accountants Daily
- Accounting Times
- Adviser Innovation
- Australian Aviation
- Broker Daily
- Cyber Daily
- Defence Connect
- Fintech Business
- HR Leader
- Independent Financial Adviser
- Investment Centre
- Investor Daily
- Lawyers Weekly
- Money Management
- Nestegg
- Property Buzz
- Real Estate Business
- Smart Property Investment
- SMSF Adviser
- Space Connect
- Super Review
- The Adviser
- Wellness Daily
- World of Aviation
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- Accountants Daily 30 Under 30 Awards
- ACE25
- Adviser Innovation Summit
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Better Business Summit & Awards
- Broker Daily Business Awards
- Corporate Counsel Summit & Awards
- Cyber Security Summit & Awards
- Defence Connect Budget Lunch
- Defence Connect DSR Summit
- Fund Manager of the Year Awards
- ifa Excellence Awards
- ifa Future Forum
- Investor Daily ESG Summit
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Forum
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- REB Awards
- Reinnovate
- SME Broker Bootcamp
- SMSF Adviser Technical Day
- Super Fund of the Year Awards
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Law Awards
- Accountants Daily Podcast Network
- Australian Aviation Podcast Network
- Broker Daily Podcast Network
- Defence Connect Podcast Network
- HR Leader Podcast Network
- REB Podcast Network
- Relative Return
- Space Connect Podcast
- The Adviser Podcast Network
- The ifa Show
- The Lawyers Weekly Show
- The Smart Property Investment Show
PODCASTS
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
LINKS
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.