Don't Be Fooled! Expert Reveals How To Identify ATO Scams
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Cybercriminals are getting more and more cunning with their tricks. Tax season is almost here, and with it comes news of scammers getting more advanced with their tactics, particularly those who have turned their attention to impersonating the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Every tax season, Australians are tricked into sending thousands of dollars to scammers, but how can you ensure it doesn’t happen to you?
According to experts, there are ways we can outsmart these scammers and protect our hard-earned money.
KnowBe4 Security-Awareness Advocate Jacqueline Jayne offers some valuable tips for spotting scams before we fall into their traps.
‘Each year, we see the same scams and millions of dollars stolen from hard-working Australians,’ she said.
According to Jayne, tax time is a hot season for scammers because this is when they often imitate government agencies to swindle financial benefits or collect sensitive personal data, such as tax file numbers. So, be on high alert!
Here are some scams to watch out for and how to identify them:
Fake ATO Social Media Pages
Scammers have long since invaded social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. They'll create pages that spoof the ATO and its employees to deceive you into giving away your personal data.
‘The intent is to get you to interact with the pages, send messages, and ask questions with the end goal tricking you into sharing personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers and bank account details,’ she explained.
Jayne says that the real ATO has a presence on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and they all hold the blue tick of authentication. So, look out for those blue ticks and steer clear of low follower counts.
The real ATO will also never request personal information on social media.
Phishing SMS scams
Scammers send a message with a link, tempting you to claim your ‘tax refund’ by visiting a fake website and submitting your personal information.
But remember, the genuine ATO never sends SMS messages with links or requests you to submit information through a link.
‘This is a scam designed to get you to click on the link. You are then taken to a fake website (that looks real) with a form for you to complete so you can get your money,’ she said.
Fake Emails
Crafty scammers may send you an email with a supposed tax return lodgment date and a fake receipt number. The email may even instruct you not to call them and instead check the attachment.
Upon clicking the link, you're directed to a fraudulent Microsoft Sign-in page to steal your login credentials and password. Jayne once again reminds us that the ATO will never send an email with a link or an attachment.
‘The message is very manipulative as it tells you not to call them. Instead, the email suggests that you should check the attachment and ensure that all your information is correct,’ she explained.
Social Media Ads
Scammers lure victims in via social ad platforms, claiming they can help you obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) or Australian Business Number (ABN) for a fee.
Interacting with these ads leads you to fraudulent websites asking for personal information. Jayne tells us to remember that applying for a TFN or ABN is free.
Cryptocurrency Tax Scams
Scammers also exploit tax and cryptocurrency connections.
They send malicious SMS claiming to be from the ATO, alleging that you're a suspect in cryptocurrency tax evasion and asking you to click on a link. Once again, the ATO will never send an SMS with a link.
Phone Call Threats
Scammers might ring you up, pretending to be from the ATO, and assert that you have a tax debt. If not paid immediately, they'll threaten you with arrest. They also demand payments through prepaid gift cards, credit cards, or cryptocurrencies.
Jayne advises hanging up if you receive such a call, as the ATO will never issue such demands or threats over the phone.
MyGov Scams
Beware of scammers pretending to be from the ‘myGov customer care team’. They send emails advising you to verify your identity by clicking on a link, which takes you to a counterfeit myGov website where you're asked to sign in using your myGov details.
Remember that the authentic ATO and MyGov will never send an email or SMS with a link.
We urge you to keep these red flags in mind during tax time. Don't let sneaky scammers fool you! If you suspect a scam, report it to the ATO so they can take action against these perpetrators. Stay safe out there!
Have you encountered any of these warning signs before? Share your experiences with us in the comments!
Every tax season, Australians are tricked into sending thousands of dollars to scammers, but how can you ensure it doesn’t happen to you?
According to experts, there are ways we can outsmart these scammers and protect our hard-earned money.
KnowBe4 Security-Awareness Advocate Jacqueline Jayne offers some valuable tips for spotting scams before we fall into their traps.
‘Each year, we see the same scams and millions of dollars stolen from hard-working Australians,’ she said.
Tax season is a busy time for scammers. Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich/Pexels
According to Jayne, tax time is a hot season for scammers because this is when they often imitate government agencies to swindle financial benefits or collect sensitive personal data, such as tax file numbers. So, be on high alert!
Here are some scams to watch out for and how to identify them:
Fake ATO Social Media Pages
Scammers have long since invaded social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. They'll create pages that spoof the ATO and its employees to deceive you into giving away your personal data.
Scammers often use social media to lure unsuspecting victims into giving away their personal information. Credit: Magnus Mueller/Pexels
‘The intent is to get you to interact with the pages, send messages, and ask questions with the end goal tricking you into sharing personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers and bank account details,’ she explained.
Jayne says that the real ATO has a presence on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and they all hold the blue tick of authentication. So, look out for those blue ticks and steer clear of low follower counts.
The real ATO will also never request personal information on social media.
Phishing SMS scams
Scammers send a message with a link, tempting you to claim your ‘tax refund’ by visiting a fake website and submitting your personal information.
But remember, the genuine ATO never sends SMS messages with links or requests you to submit information through a link.
‘This is a scam designed to get you to click on the link. You are then taken to a fake website (that looks real) with a form for you to complete so you can get your money,’ she said.
Fake Emails
Crafty scammers may send you an email with a supposed tax return lodgment date and a fake receipt number. The email may even instruct you not to call them and instead check the attachment.
Upon clicking the link, you're directed to a fraudulent Microsoft Sign-in page to steal your login credentials and password. Jayne once again reminds us that the ATO will never send an email with a link or an attachment.
‘The message is very manipulative as it tells you not to call them. Instead, the email suggests that you should check the attachment and ensure that all your information is correct,’ she explained.
Jayne said to stay vigilant when receiving emails from someone claiming to be from the ATO. Credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels
Social Media Ads
Scammers lure victims in via social ad platforms, claiming they can help you obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) or Australian Business Number (ABN) for a fee.
Interacting with these ads leads you to fraudulent websites asking for personal information. Jayne tells us to remember that applying for a TFN or ABN is free.
Cryptocurrency Tax Scams
Scammers also exploit tax and cryptocurrency connections.
They send malicious SMS claiming to be from the ATO, alleging that you're a suspect in cryptocurrency tax evasion and asking you to click on a link. Once again, the ATO will never send an SMS with a link.
Phone Call Threats
Scammers might ring you up, pretending to be from the ATO, and assert that you have a tax debt. If not paid immediately, they'll threaten you with arrest. They also demand payments through prepaid gift cards, credit cards, or cryptocurrencies.
Jayne advises hanging up if you receive such a call, as the ATO will never issue such demands or threats over the phone.
MyGov Scams
Beware of scammers pretending to be from the ‘myGov customer care team’. They send emails advising you to verify your identity by clicking on a link, which takes you to a counterfeit myGov website where you're asked to sign in using your myGov details.
Remember that the authentic ATO and MyGov will never send an email or SMS with a link.
We urge you to keep these red flags in mind during tax time. Don't let sneaky scammers fool you! If you suspect a scam, report it to the ATO so they can take action against these perpetrators. Stay safe out there!
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