'I thought it was a scam': Woman receives sudden notification from the ATO
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As the cost of living continues to pressure Aussies, a windfall of money may go a long way.
However, it's important to stay cautious about the promise of free money.
In a surprising turn of events, a woman's bank account received an unexpected boost, thanks to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The woman, who remained anonymous, shared her initial confusion online.
'I just received a text message saying that I've received a return of about $200,' she wrote in a post.
Considering she already received a tax refund earlier in the year, the message raised suspicions.
'I thought it was a scam, but I checked my bank account, and the money is there,' she added.
With no information about the refund on her MyGov account, she reached out to the ATO for clarification.
After reaching out to the ATO, she shared another update regarding the sudden windfall of money.
'Upon further investigation, it looks like a super account from a previous job that I forgot about was closed down, and they sent the money back to me,' she said.
While the money was welcome, she wished for better communication.
'I did not receive any info from the super or the ATO about this, which made it look very scammy,' she added.
The woman's story highlighted the importance of keeping personal details up to date with superannuation funds and the ATO.
In September, the ATO held on to about $17.8 billion in unclaimed superannuation funds.
Since 2021, $6.4 billion has been returned to its rightful owners.
About $471 million of these funds belong to seniors over the age of 65, which could be a welcome addition to their retirement funds.
The ATO believed that outdated contact details are the primary reason why Australians do not receive their unclaimed super.
ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig urged Australians to check if they have any lost or unclaimed super.
'If you've changed jobs, moved house, or simply forgotten to update your details, you may have lost or unclaimed super,' she stated.
Superannuation is a crucial component of retirement planning, and the ATO is committed to helping Aussies claim the investment they've worked hard for.
You can check for unclaimed super by logging into the ATO's service portal through MyGov.
Alternatively, you may contact their super fund provider directly.
If you find that you have unclaimed super, you can transfer it to another eligible super account.
Seniors with superannuation of less than $200 may be transferred directly to a bank account.
So, check your super status, as this could also boost your retirement savings.
Have you checked your account for unclaimed super recently? Did you receive an unexpected cash boost sometime ago? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!
However, it's important to stay cautious about the promise of free money.
In a surprising turn of events, a woman's bank account received an unexpected boost, thanks to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The woman, who remained anonymous, shared her initial confusion online.
'I just received a text message saying that I've received a return of about $200,' she wrote in a post.
Considering she already received a tax refund earlier in the year, the message raised suspicions.
She posted the full text message online to ask if others received the same message. Image Credit: Reddit
'I thought it was a scam, but I checked my bank account, and the money is there,' she added.
With no information about the refund on her MyGov account, she reached out to the ATO for clarification.
After reaching out to the ATO, she shared another update regarding the sudden windfall of money.
'Upon further investigation, it looks like a super account from a previous job that I forgot about was closed down, and they sent the money back to me,' she said.
While the money was welcome, she wished for better communication.
'I did not receive any info from the super or the ATO about this, which made it look very scammy,' she added.
The woman's story highlighted the importance of keeping personal details up to date with superannuation funds and the ATO.
In September, the ATO held on to about $17.8 billion in unclaimed superannuation funds.
Since 2021, $6.4 billion has been returned to its rightful owners.
About $471 million of these funds belong to seniors over the age of 65, which could be a welcome addition to their retirement funds.
The ATO believed that outdated contact details are the primary reason why Australians do not receive their unclaimed super.
ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig urged Australians to check if they have any lost or unclaimed super.
'If you've changed jobs, moved house, or simply forgotten to update your details, you may have lost or unclaimed super,' she stated.
Superannuation is a crucial component of retirement planning, and the ATO is committed to helping Aussies claim the investment they've worked hard for.
You can check for unclaimed super by logging into the ATO's service portal through MyGov.
Alternatively, you may contact their super fund provider directly.
If you find that you have unclaimed super, you can transfer it to another eligible super account.
Seniors with superannuation of less than $200 may be transferred directly to a bank account.
So, check your super status, as this could also boost your retirement savings.
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