ATO Scam Alert

Since 2019, there has been an increase in scammers to impersonate the ATO to requesting payment via various methods, the scammers may also ask recipients to send a photo of their driver’s license, passport or other identity credentials via WhatsApp. This may result in far-reaching identity compromise for victims.

  • WhatsApp – Fake Tax Debt Scam (most recent one)

The most recent one is scammers are using WhatsApp to impersonate the ATO. The current report from ATO indicates the scam is the latest twist to the fake tax debt scam where scammers issue a pre-recorded voice message to your phone demanding immediate payment of tax debt and threatening immediate arrest.

The ATO does not have a profile on WhatsApp and will never engage with you on this platform.

Never give out any sensitive personally-identifying information unless you can independently verify the identity of the person or organisation you are providing it to.

Know your tax affairs – you can log into ATO online services through myGov to check your tax affairs at any time, or you can contact your tax agent or the ATO via an independently sourced number.

Cybercriminals can also use vulnerabilities in apps such as WhatsApp to access your phone or device. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is currently advising users of WhatsApp to update your app to apply the latest security updates and set your phone and device/s to auto-update.

  • SMS Scam – Tax Refund Notification

Scammers are texting people, asking them to click on a link and provide personal identifying information to receive a tax refund. If you click on the link it will take you to a fake ‘Tax Refund’ form in order to steal your personal information.

In an effort to make the text appear real, scammers use technology that makes their message appear in your legitimate ATO message feed. Remember to always exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments in emails or SMS even if they are from someone you know.

The ATO does not have an online ‘Tax Refund’ form and we will never send an email or SMS asking you to access online services via a hyperlink.

All online management of your tax affairs should be carried out in ATO online services accessed via your genuine myGov account. Make accessing ATO online services via your myGov account more secure. Update your sign-in options at my.gov.au so you receive a code by SMS when signing in.

  • Phone Scam – Imitating ATO Phone Numbers

Scammers contacting members of the public pretending to be from the ATO and claiming that there are outstanding tax debts and threatening people with arrest if the debt is not paid immediately.

Scammers are using technology to make it look like the calls originate from a legitimate ATO phone number. This number may appear on caller ID, be left on voice mail messages for callbacks, or directed by *69 for call back functionality. Scammers do this to make the calls seem more valid when they call people a second time. Most frequently the numbers appearing are 6216 1111 and 1800 467 033, but numbers for individual ATO staff members have been used as well.

While these scam calls may appear to be from the ATO with a spoofed caller ID, it is IMPORTANT to remember that a legitimate caller from the ATO will never:

  • threaten you with arrest
  • demand immediate payment, particularly through unusual means such as bitcoin, pre-paid credit cards or gift cards
  • refuse to allow you to speak with a trusted advisor or your regular tax agent
  • or present a phone number on caller ID

Never call a scammer back on the number they provide.

If you are in any doubt about an ATO call hang up and contact your tax agent or you can always phone ATO on 1800 008 540 to check if the call was legitimate or report a scam.

  • eMail Scam – myGov Tax Refund Notification

Scammers are emailing people from a fake myGov email address, asking them to fill out an application to receive a tax refund. The image below is one example format this scam can take. Do not click anywhere in the email as it contains a malicious link and will direct you to a fake ‘Tax Refund’ form in order to steal your personal information.

Remember to always exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments in emails.

This scam email:

  • misleadingly includes the myGov logo
  • asks you to click a link that appears to be the myGov website but when hovering over the link it does not lead to a my.gov.au address
  • does not include your name
  • contains poor grammar and spelling
  • is unexpected.

The ATO does not have an online ‘Tax Refund’ form. All online management of your tax affairs should be carried out via your genuine myGov account. Make accessing ATO online services via your myGov account more secure. Update your sign-in options at my.gov.au so you receive a code by SMS when signing in.