Aussies being targeted in ATO tax scams
Written by admin on July 8, 2024
Authorities have warned taxpayers to be aware of scams targeting Australians who are submitting their tax returns or waiting for an outcome of an assessment.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority said people should be aware of emails, text message and phone calls over the coming months as scammers try to take advantage of taxpayers.
The scams included robocalls from people pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office or other government departments.
“These callers asked for an urgent payment of a tax debt or say they need to fix personal information to process your tax refund,” an ACMA spokesman said.
“People may also be targeted by email or texts claiming to be from the ATO and MyGov, including links to update or fix your personal information to receive a fake refund.”
In May, the ATO received about 1670 reports of ATO impersonation scams, increasing 31 per cent from April.
A surge in scams prompted the federal government to warn residents that scammers were using fake myGov sites to steal myGov sign in details that could be used to commit tax and refund fraud in other people’s names.
These criminals used text messages or emails to lure people into clicking a link using phrases such as ‘You are due to receive an ATO Direct refund’ or ‘You have a new message in your myGov inbox – click here to view’.
An ACMA spokesman said people should be wary of emails, phone calls and text messages claiming to be from the ATO.
“If you think a phone call, SMS, voicemail, email or interaction on social media claiming to be from the ATO is not genuine, do not engage with it,” the spokesman said.
“If you are unsure if a call or message is genuine – stop and check. Don’t rush to act.
“If you are unsure if the message or call you have received is a scam, contact the ATO on 1800 008 540 or MyGov on 132 307.”
