Tax time is prime time for scammers.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued new warnings about scammers impersonating the ATO and myGov to steal your login details, personal information and even your tax refund.
We’ve put these tips together so you can better protect yourself. We've also included examples of the latest scam emails reported to the ATO at the end of this article, so you know exactly what to look out for.
The ATO's latest warning is about a fake ATO appointment email.
The email claims you've booked a phone appointment with the ATO and asks you to open an attachment to view or reschedule the appointment. The attachment contains a fake myGov login page designed to steal your username, password and security codes.
Other recent scams include emails about:
If you receive a message asking you to do any of these things, treat it as suspicious.
Not every piece of incorrect tax information is a scam.
The ATO is also warning Australians about AI-generated misinformation, which can appear in AI summaries, search results, websites and social media. Even if the information isn't intended to scam you, it may still be incorrect and could lead to costly tax mistakes.
Always verify tax information using official government sources or speak with a trusted tax professional before acting on it.
If you receive a suspicious email, SMS or phone call:
If you've already clicked a link, entered your details or sent money, contact the ATO immediately on 1800 008 540 and report the scam to ReportScams@ato.gov.au.
If you receive a message claiming to be from the ATO and you're unsure whether it's genuine, don't rush to act.
You can always check your tax obligations and ATO correspondence via your ATO online service account or contact our support team before responding. While we can't verify every message you receive, we're happy to help check whether an ATO request looks legitimate and point you in the right direction.
Scammers rely on urgency and fear. Taking a few moments to verify a message before clicking a link could save you from identity theft, financial loss and the stress of recovering your accounts. When in doubt, stop, verify, and only access ATO services through the official ATO or myGov websites.
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