Don’t be scammed!
Scammers usually contact you out of the blue and they can be very convincing, making use of every channel of communication – emails, SMS, snail mail or even phone calls just to steal money or information from you.
To help you avoid being scammed we want to share with you how to spot the common characteristics of a scam.
Scam communications:
- are unsolicited
- are pushy and can be intimidating, threatening arrests or penalties if payment for an unknown tax debt is not made immediately
- demand payment in full and in some instances via unconventional means such as iTunes cards, cash transfers or gift vouchers
- ask you for your personal or financial information or to confirm information they pretend they have
- are often poorly worded, containing spelling and grammatical mistakes
- may promise you a tax refund in exchange for a payment or personal information
- may contain an attachment or fake links requesting you to lodge a form – opening these attachments or links can cause you to download spyware or a virus.
What do I need to do if I think someone is trying to scam me?
For phone scams you should:
- hang up immediately
- call the ATO dedicated scam reporting line 1800 008 540 between 8am–6pm EST, Monday to Friday.
For email scams you should:
- NOT click on links or open any attachments
- forward the email to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au
How do I report a scam?
If a scammer or someone claims that he/she is from ATO has contacted you or your client and you are unsure if they are legitimate, report it to ATO right away.
Please visit this link to check how to contact ATO.