Scammers are getting smarter every day when it comes to targeting Australians. They’ll try all sorts of tricks to get your personal or business details—like phone calls about fake tax debts or emails promising a surprise tax refund. To keep both you and your business safe this tax season, especially with email and SMS scams on the rise, the Australian Taxation Office suggests three simple but important precautions:
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or scanning QR codes in emails or texts claiming to be from the ATO. These messages may be phishing attempts designed to steal your sensitive corporate credentials.
- Always access ATO services by manually typing the URL into your browser, rather than clicking through links. This ensures you’re visiting the legitimate ATO site and not a spoofed imitation.
- Never share your Tax File Number (TFN), Australian Business Number (ABN), or login details (like myID or RAM) unless you’re absolutely sure the request is genuine and the recipient is verified. Keeping these details confidential helps protect against identity fraud.
Extra Safety Tip: If you get a suspicious call, SMS, voicemail, email, or even a social media message claiming to be from the ATO, don’t respond or engage. Remember, if you have a registered tax agent or accountant, the ATO will usually contact them first—not you directly. If someone calls saying they’re from the ATO, don’t get drawn into the conversation. Instead, hang up and call the ATO yourself on their official number to check if the contact was genuine.
Top 3 Scam Awareness Tips – ATO
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