What is happening?听
As tax season approaches, The 911爆料网 Tax Clinic (CTC) advises taxpayers to beware of the rising use of bully tactics trying to scare Australians into handing over Tax File Numbers, banking details and other personal data to scammers.听听reports that scammers are impersonating ATO employees and sending fake emails, text messages and leaving threatening voicemails to steal personal information. This may include:
- Instructing the taxpayer to login on to fake sites often called 鈥淎TO Office Portal鈥� or 鈥淎TO Gateway Portal鈥�.
- Text messages claiming the taxpayer is entitled to a tax refund and must enter personal details such as banking and credit card information to verify.
- Voice messages threating the taxpayer with legal action or arrest for an unknown tax debt or tax evasion.
It is important to note that:
- All tax affairs should be carried out via your MyGov account only.
- The ATO will never send an email with a hyperlink directing you to an external online service to provide personal information.
- The ATO will never send unsolicited text or voice messages asking for personal information, Tax File Numbers or asking for a fee to be paid.
Recommendations
CTC provides the following recommendations if you are contacted by anyone claiming they are from the ATO:
- If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the ATO, take down their information and call the ATO鈥檚 office (using听) to validate their identity and their request.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over phone or email.
- If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a phone call, it鈥檚 OK to hang up and phone the ATO on听1800 008 540听to check if the call was legitimate or report a scam.
- If you receive an email claiming to be from the ATO,听DO NOT听click on any links, open any attachments, or respond to the sender. These emails may harmful to your IT device and your information.
- If you think you have provided sensitive or personal information to a scammer, contact the ATO鈥檚 Identity Support Centre immediately on听1800 467 033.
Further Information
Scammers worldwide are increasing their attempts to trick and defraud Australian taxpayers. As a result, it is important to be vigilant and aware of threats that may attempt to defraud or misuse your identity. The Australian Government has developed websites such as听听and听听to keep Citizens up to date with information on how to protect yourself online.
For further information about protecting yourself from scamming emails, see the ATO鈥檚 online guide听; or CITS鈥檚听听for more articles on Security Advice.
If you receive a suspicious call or email, these should be reported to the ATO using the following methods:
- Phone on听1800 008 540听between 8:00am 鈥� 6:00pm AEST
- Forward the suspicious email to听ReportEmailFraud@ATO.gov.au
