Beware of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) impersonation scams
The ATO warns taxpayers to be alert to malicious scammers who are using increasingly sophisticated methods and technology to impersonate the ATO.
A new tactic on the rise is “spoofing”, where scammers mimic a legitimate ATO phone number caller ID to call or send SMS messages, or mimic a legitimate email domain to send emails.
SMSs and emails may ask you to click on a link and provide your personal details to get a “refund” from the ATO. Scammers may also say you need to pay a (fake) tax debt. The ATO warns that these scammers may intend to steal not only your money, but also your identity by using your personal information.
If you’re not sure whether a communication is really from the ATO, don’t respond, don’t click any links and don’t open any attachments. Quickly hang up. You could call us. Alternatively, call the ATO’s scam hotline on 1800 008 540 to check its legitimacy.
On form of protection (if you remember) is that ANY communication with the ATO is via us – your tax agent.
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