Be on the lookout for suspicious messages and avoid being a target of cyber-criminals.
Estimated reading time is 3 minutes.
Estimated reading time is 3 minutes.
With tax time fast approaching, criminals may attempt to take advantage of the end of the financial year to gain access to individuals’ and businesses’ money and information. In 2021, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) received over 50,000 reports of scams, with $800,000 reported lost. Here are three main types of scams that involve criminals impersonating the ATO.
Scammers contact you claiming that you’re owed a tax refund, and that they need your personal details and a processing fee to release your funds.
Scammers contact you claiming that you have a tax debt, and demand that you pay the debt to avoid being arrested. They may ask you to pay by credit card, money transfer, gift cards, or using a pre-paid debit card.
Fake websites offer to provide TFN and ABNs for a fee, but fail to provide the service. Instead, they steal your money and personal information. The fake TFN and ABN services are often advertised on social media sites. TFN and ABNs are free (however if your tax agent or accountant assists with an ABN application, they may charge a fee for their services).
Here are our tips to help keep you, your family and friends safe this tax time.
If you receive an email or text message claiming to be from the ATO asking for personal or financial information, do not respond.
Think before you click or give out any information. Avoid downloading attachments or clicking links in unsolicited emails or suspicious text messages.
If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the ATO stating that you’re due a refund, threatening you with immediate arrest or stating that you must pay money to receive a tax refund, hang up.
If you receive a call asking for personal or banking information, hang up and call the organisation back using a publicly listed number. For example, NAB’s number is on our website and on the back of NAB cards.
It is free, quick and easy to use government services to apply for a TFN through the ATO, or apply for an ABN through the Australian Business Register (ABR). There is no need to go through a third party other than your accountant or tax agent.
It’s important to talk to your family about these scams. Tell them to ‘ask out loud’ for a second opinion from a friend or family member if someone contacts them unexpectedly asking for information.
Remember that the ATO will never:
If you’re concerned or uncertain about the authenticity of a call or message claiming to come from the ATO, hang up and call the ATO on 1800 008 540.
For more information on how to protect yourself online at tax time, visit the ATO website.
Australian Government | Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) brings cyber security capabilities from across the Australian Government together. It’s the hub for collaboration and information sharing to combat cyber security threats. ACSC provides timely information on how home internet users and small businesses can protect themselves from cyber security threats. They also help users reduce their risks of software vulnerabilities, online scams, malicious activities, and risky online behaviours.
Australian Government | ReportCyber
ReportCyber is a secure reporting and referral service for cybercrime. These online incidents may be in breach of Australian law. The ReportCyber website provides a cybercrime reporting mechanism as well as helpful information about cybercrime.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission | Scamwatch
Scamwatch provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams using publications, videos and other online resources.
Australian Government | Office of the eSafety Commissioner
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides online safety education for Australian children and young people, a complaints service for young Australians who experience serious cyberbullying, and address illegal online content.
Australian Government | Attorney-General’s Department
The Attorney-General’s Department website provides helpful information and resources about your rights and protections in regards to identity security, freedom of information and cyber security. The Department has developed a range of resources to assist people protect their identity and recover from the effects of identity crime.
Be on the lookout for suspicious messages and avoid being a target of cyber-criminals.
Learn how to recognise scam calls and keep your details safe when on the phone.
Learn about card and payment fraud and simple steps you can take to protect your business.
Learn how to protect your website against online attacks.
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