Best way to avoid this tax mistake

As millions of Aussies start preparing their tax returns ahead of the end of the financial year, experts are warning of the increasing risks of Australian Tax Office (ATO) impersonation scams.

ATO-branded SMS and emails containing links to fake myGov web pages remain one of the most common types of scams, according to the ATO.

CPA Australia spokesman Gavan Ord said scams are becoming more sophisticated but there are signs to spot them.

“Scammers take advantage of any situation, and at tax time that means targeting unsuspecting individuals through unsolicited messages claiming to be the ATO or another reputable organisation – known as ‘phishing’ scams,” Mr Ord said.

“These messages trick individuals into acting quickly and letting their guard down on the promise of financial gain or by convincing them they have done something wrong and need to rectify the situation quickly to avoid penalties.

“These scams prey on our natural instincts, which is why we need to stop and think before we click any links or give over any personal information.

“If in doubt, always stop, think, and don’t share any personal information, including your tax file number or bank details.”

Mr Ord urged young Aussies to be extra vigilant at tax time, with 25-34 year olds most likely to inadvertently share personal information to ATO impersonation scammers.

“It can be hard for anyone to spot tax time scams and the fact that young, tech savvy Aussies are most likely to be the victim of ATO impersonation scammers should be a wake-up call to everyone,” said Mr Ord.

“It’s definitely a good idea to check in with elderly and vulnerable family and friends to make sure they are aware of common scam types, but also remain vigilant yourself.

“It only takes a momentary lapse in judgement to be a victim.”

How to spot tax time scams:

• Look for any grammatical errors or unusual language in emails or SMS messages received from the ATO
• The ATO will never include hyperlinks or QR codes in unsolicited SMS messages
• Always check the email sender’s address for any subtle anomalies like using a number, adding extra letters, or even removing a letter
• The ATO will never ask for passwords, account numbers or other sensitive data by email or SMS
• Any social media account claiming to be the ATO or myGov will have an official logo and profile verification, such as the blue tick on Facebook and Instagram or grey tick on X, formally Twitter
• The ATO will never discuss your personal ATO account on any social media platform, including private messages

If anything suspicious is noticed online, block and report the account by taking a screenshot and report it to reportscams@ato.gov.au

For any concerns, contact ATO on 1-800-008-540 or by visiting the verify or report scam page on the official ATO website.