Be on the alert for scammers during tax time.
The end of financial year traditionally means tax time. It is also a busy time for scammers.
The ACMA is warning consumers to be on the lookout for tax themed scam emails, SMS and calls over the coming months. Scammers are likely to take advantage of Australians who are submitting tax returns or waiting for the outcome of an assessment.
Common tax scams include robo-calls or calls from people pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or another government department. These calls require urgent payment of a tax debt, or request personal information in order to process a tax refund.
Consumers may also be targeted via email or SMS claiming to be from MyGov, including links to follow to provide financial information to receive fake refunds.
If you receive one of these calls or messages:
- do not rely on the contact information provided by callers or in emails and SMS.
- do not provide your personal information or make payments to callers over the phone.
- do not click on any links in emails or SMS. These may be phishing scams designed to steal your personal or financial details.
The ATO will never threaten you with arrest, demand immediate payment of a tax debt or fine, or cancel or suspend your Tax File Number. If you are unsure whether a call or message is genuine, you can contact the ATO to check on 1800 008 540.
Scammers target everyone. We encourage Australians to discuss how to identify scams with friends and family. Learn more about how to protect yourself and those close to you on the ACMA website and make a report to Scamwatch.
If you’re concerned that your identity has been compromised or you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.