Now we are into a new tax year the Australian Taxation Office has seen an increase in impersonation scams. Most of these have been delivered via phone or voice message, with a smaller number by email or text message. Someone will call saying they are from the tax office and you have an outstanding amount of tax payable.
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They may use scare tactics by telling you that the Federal Police have your house surrounded and you will be arrested if you don't make an immediate payment. They then request payment by unusual methods such as by cryptocurrency or pre-paid gift cards.
Other scam phone calls claim your tax file number has been suspended due to money laundering and they request personal information from you. The tax office will never resort to these measures so please just hang up on them. If you are able to, make a note of the phone number and report it to tax office.
Another current scam involves an email or text message requesting you to log into your myGov account to verify your details, else your account will be locked. You will get emails or texts advising that you have a new message in your myGov inbox but this will never include a direct link for you to log on. Always access your myGov account using the online services via my.gov.au or ato.gov.au or using the ATO app on your phone.
The scammers use current events as a touch point. For example, the text message may refer to a bonus for people affected by natural disasters just after an event has happened, such as the bush fires we had earlier in the year. Another requested bank account details for the JobKeeper payment. Scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal from you and often take advantage of the most vulnerable.
If you are not sure an email or message is genuine, please do not reply or click on any links. For a suspicious phone call, hang up and call the tax office back or contact your accountant, both of whom can look up to see if an issue exists.
The tax office has a dedicated scam line 1800 008 540, please call to check if the communication is legitimate or not.
- Helen Warnock is a partner in a Central Queensland Chartered Accountant firm. This article offers general information only. You should consult your own adviser to seek advice relevant to your personal circumstances before taking action.
