It’s that time of year again; tax time. As Australians focus on lodging their returns and wrapping up their financials, cybercriminals are taking advantage of this busy season to try gain access to individuals’ money through convincing scams designed to steal personal and financial information.

A Surge in Tax Scams

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reported a 300% increase in impersonation email scams compared to 2024. These scams often involve fake messages designed to trick recipients into releasing personal information, leading to identity theft and financial fraud.

Types of Tax Scams

• Tax refund
  • A scam where scammers claim you are owed a tax refund and ask for your personal details and or a fee to process it.
• Tax owed
  • A scam where scammers create a false sense of urgency by claiming you have a tax debt, and threaten of potential arrest or fine if you don’t pay.
• TFN and ABN
  • A scam where scammers create fake websites or social ads offering to provide an TFN or ABN fee for a fee.
• ATO impersonator
  • A scam where scammers impersonate the ATO.

Red Flags to Watch For

Common warning signs include:

• Urgent or threatening language: Pressure to act immediately to avoid penalties.
• Unusual email addresses or links: Email addresses that don’t match official ATO domains or contain misspellings.
• Ask for personal information or payments: Requests for sensitive details.
• Spelling or grammar mistakes: Errors that indicate the message isn’t from a professional source.

Be cautious of emails or SMS messages that include hyperlinks or QR codes directing you to log in to online services; the ATO has stated they will never send unsolicited messages with such links.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you suspect you’ve received a scam message:

• Do not engage: Avoid clicking on links or providing personal information.
• Report it: Forward the email or SMS to ReportScams@ato.gov.au.
• Verify with the ATO: Contact the ATO directly at 1800 008 540 or visit their Verify or report a scam page.

Protecting Your Financial Data

To safeguard your personal and financial information during tax season:

• Use official channels: Only access ATO services by typing the URL directly into your browser (e.g., ato.gov.au).
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your myGov and email accounts.
• Keep software up to date: Ensure your devices have the latest security updates and antivirus protection. Tools like Trend Micro’s Security Suite Pro Plus can help protect against malware, viruses, ransomware and other threats.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Refrain from accessing sensitive information over unsecured networks.

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