As the end of the financial year approaches, it's not just the taxman who's taking an interest in your finances.

Scammers are also on the prowl, looking to take advantage of the tax season to swindle unsuspecting Australians out of their hard-earned cash.

The Customer Owned Banking Association has sounded the alarm, urging everyone to be highly alert for these sophisticated cons.


According to government figures, Australians reported losing a staggering $38 million to scams in June alone.

Leanne Vale, the Financial Crimes Chief at the Customer Owned Banking Association, warned that this time of year is particularly lucrative for fraudsters, as many of us are focused on tax returns, charitable donations, and EOFY (End of Financial Year) sales.


‘Scammers are very sophisticated in the way they target people. If you suspect you have been scammed, it’s important to contact your bank or card provider immediately, as they may be able to stop the transaction and freeze your account,’ Ms Vale cautioned.

‘Criminals will align their scams with what is happening in people’s lives, so during this specific time of year, many people are preparing for tax time, making tax-deductible charity donations or getting a bargain during the EOFY sales.’


One common ruse involves too-good-to-be-true sales that act as trojan horses for fraud.

According to Ms Vale, ‘Scammers set up fake websites which can sit under actual retailers’ sites, so these can be hard to spot. They can also use logos and ABNs to make a fake website look real.’

‘It’s good practice to always verify that the website you are planning to buy from is legitimate, but alarm bells should be ringing if a deal seems too good to be true.’

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it's crucial to scrutinise the websites you shop from.

Check for privacy terms, contact details, and terms and conditions. If it's an Australian store, the URL should end with .com.au, and you can verify the domain name against the Australian Domain Authority's website register.


Emails offering unbelievable bargains are another red flag. Instead of clicking on links within these emails, go directly to the retailer's official website to confirm the offer. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Another area of concern is fake myGov emails and text messages.

These communications often convey a sense of urgency, threatening account suspensions or penalties if you don't act quickly.

These messages are designed to panic you into clicking on malicious links or divulging personal information.


Charity scams also ramp up during this period in the form of fake tax-deductible donations.

‘Sadly, scammers take advantage of people’s generosity, so June is rife with charity scams,’ Ms Vale warned.

‘It’s important to be vigilant before you open your heart and wallet.’

To ensure your money goes to a legitimate cause, only donate to registered charities, and avoid clicking on links in emails or social media posts.

If you receive an unsolicited phone call from a charity, hang up and call the organisation directly using its listed number.

It's important to remember that donating to a charity is only tax-deductible if the donation is $2 or more and made to a deductible gift recipient charity.

Keep receipts of all donations, as you'll need them to claim deductions on your tax return.
Tax time isn't the only period when Aussies need to be vigilant.

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and as we approach the mid-year, another type of fraud is becoming increasingly prevalent.

While sophisticated tax scams are a major concern, delivery scams are on the rise, targeting Australians from all walks of life.

Australia Post issued an urgent warning after a record number of people have fallen victim to these cunning schemes. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Have you encountered similar scams? How do you protect yourself from falling victim to any of these schemes? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below!