As the 31 October tax lodgement deadline approaches, many Australians are likely preparing tax returns, awaiting refunds, or checking their lodgement status. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of this active period to impersonate trusted organisations and trick consumers into sharing personal information or making payments.
COBA Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer urges Australians to be vigilant this tax season.
“Scammers know many Australians are focused on their tax obligations at this time of year, and they rely on urgency and uncertainty to catch people off guard,” Latimer explained.
“It may require a few extra steps, but taking the time to stop and check the authenticity of such messages can make all the difference in protecting your hard-earned money.”
Before clicking a link, scanning a QR code, or sharing any personal information, here are some important tips to help you verify who you’re dealing with.
What is a tax impersonation scam?
Come tax time, scammers may pose as government agencies like the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or myGov, claiming you’re entitled to a refund or warning that you owe money and need to act immediately.
They may ask you to provide personal and financial information like your banking details, payslips, Medicare details, or driver’s license in order to access or make a payment.
They may contact you via email, text messages, or even phone calls and in many cases, they will emphasise the looming 31 October deadline to create a sense of urgency and pressure you to act immediately.
Once scammers obtain your personal or financial information, they may be able to access your accounts, make unauthorised transactions, or use your identity to target you again in the future.
“Scam emails, calls, or text messages can seem pretty convincing, especially if you receive them around the same time you’re expecting a tax return, or have just filed your taxes,” Latimer said.
“Whether it’s the promise of an unexpected refund or a threat of penalties for a missed deadline, take the time to verify the messages through official channels and never share any information if you’re uncertain about the recipient.”
Signs of a tax impersonation scam
Scammers may ask you to click on suspicious links or direct you to a fake website that resembles a government website to ‘verify’ your details. The ATO does not send unsolicited messages containing links or QR codes asking you to log in.
Scammers may also ask you to download an attachment to access ‘receipts’ – these attachments typically contain malicious software designed to steal your information.
Some scam attempts may ask you for an upfront payment. The ATO does not require any payment for you to access your refund.
Remember to stop, check, protect
Scammers rely on you being distracted or feeling pressured to act, but these three simple steps can help keep you secure.
Stop: Do not share sensitive information such as your Tax File Number (TFN), banking details or myGov credentials unless you are certain who you’re dealing with. And don’t rush to ‘access your refund’ or ‘pay your tax’ through suspicious links.
Check: Always access online services like the ATO by directly typing the URL into a browser. There are also official verification tools like the ATO app’s verify call feature, which helps confirm whether a phone call claiming to be from the ATO is genuine.
Protect: If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, cease communications with the suspected scammer immediately and report the incident to Scamwatch and ReportCyber. You can also contact your bank or card provider immediately to stop further transactions and explore recovery options.