Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo has reminded the community and businesses to be aware and alert to scams claiming to be from the ATO.
“We are seeing an increase in the number, creativity and sophistication of scams being reported,” Mr D’Ascenzo said.
“With the October 31 deadline fast approaching for people completing their own tax returns, ‘scammers’ are ramping up their efforts and we are seeing a range of sophisticated scams, including:
- Phone calls that play a legitimate-sounding recorded ‘training and monitoring’ message at the start of the call .
- Phone calls from people posing as ‘tax officers’ that provide fraudulent ATO call-back details.
- Emails about ‘the recipient’s tax refund, special deals and donations’ that are made to appear to have come from the ATO and use ‘ATO or government’ in the email address.
- Emails containing a dangerous virus, which when opened or downloaded will crash the recipient’s computer
“It is important that the community and businesses stays mindful and vigilant as scammers are increasing their efforts to make their scams appear genuine.
“We rely on the community and businesses to alert us to suspicious behaviour. Your report can help us investigate and have the illegal behaviour stopped. You can forward suspect email scams to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au or call the ATO during business hours on 1800 060 062 to discuss a suspected scam.
“Anyone can be the victim of a scam. If something seems suspicious, too good to be true, asks you for personal details or cannot be verified by contacting an official source, it is likely to be a scam and you should report it.”
For more information on personal or business tax retruns contact the team at South East Access
