Beware of ATO Scams
Stay Safe and Informed
In recent times, there has been a surge in scams that appear to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). These scams often come in the form of emails, text messages, or phone calls, and they can be quite convincing. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and know how to identify these fraudulent communications to protect yourself and your personal information.
Key Points to Remember:
Do Not Click on Links: Scammers often include links in their messages that lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal information. The ATO will never send you an email or text message with a link directing you to log in to your myGov account.
Verify the Source: Always check the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers can make their messages look like they are from the ATO, but there are often subtle differences in the sender’s details. For instance, a client received a message from noreply@mygov.au whereas the true email address is noreply@my.gov.au.
Log In Directly: If you receive a message claiming to be from the ATO, do not click on any links. Instead, go directly to the official myGov website or app on your phone and log in to your account. This ensures you are accessing the legitimate site.
Look for Red Flags: Be wary of messages that create a sense of urgency, such as threats of fines or legal action, and requests for and to change personal information. The ATO will not pressure you to act immediately or provide personal information via email or text. They may also have errors like grammatical or spelling mistakes, or stating the notice relates to a future year (IE 2024-2025).
Contact Us or the ATO: If you are unsure about the authenticity of a message, contact the ATO directly using the contact information on their official website. Do not use any contact details provided in the suspicious message. You are also welcome to forward any text or email messages to us that you believe are fraudulent and we can look into whether its legitimate.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message:
Do Not Respond: Ignore the message and do not reply to it.
Report It: Forward the suspicious email to reportemailfraud@ato.gov.au or report the scam via the ATO’s official website. You can also forward the message to us to investigate for you.
Delete the Message: Remove the email or text from your inbox to avoid accidentally clicking on any links.
By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Remember, the ATO will never ask you to click on a link to log in to your myGov account. Always access your account directly through the official myGov website.
Stay safe and vigilant!