SCAM ALERT - an ATO report

ATO report - SCAMMERS STEAL OVER $800,000 DURING NOVEMBER

The ATO have warned us to be on high alert to scammers, especially with the sneaky new ways scammers are are currently trapping us.

Here are some things to be aware of if you are contacted via phone, text message, email or social media - the ATO does NOT:

use caller ID
use aggressive behavior
threaten you with arrest, jail or deportation
request payment of debts to be made via iTunes, pre-paid visa cards, cryptocurrency or direct credit to a bank account with as BSB that isn't either 092-009 or 093-033
request fees from you to enable a release refunds
send a link for you to click on asking you to provide a login, personal financial information, or to download a file or open an attachment
request you to respond via email and/or text messages providing your personal information - TFN, credit card or bank details
stay on the phone with you whilst you go to the bank, post office, or shops to make a payment
use social media, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, to ask for personal identifiable information or your TFN
door knock, ever
refuse to allow you to speak with your trusted adviser or tax agent

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, please contact the ATO call center ASAP on 1800 008 540, to confirm if the call was legitimate or to report a scam.

The ATO's top tips to protect yourself from scammers:

Know your tax affairs – you can log into myGov to check your tax affairs at any time, or you can contact your tax agent or the ATO.
Guard your personal and financial information – be careful when clicking on links, downloading files or opening attachments. Only give your personal information to people you trust, and try not to share it on social media.
If you are unsure about whether a call, text message or email is genuine, don’t reply. Call the ATO on 1800 008 540.
Know legitimate ways to make payments - scammers may use threatening tactics to trick their victims into paying false debts in pre-paid gift cards or by sending money to non-ATO bank accounts. To check that a payment method is legitimate, visit ato.gov.au/howtopay.
Talk to your family and friends about scams - if you or someone you know has fallen victim to a tax related scam, call the ATO as soon as you can.

For more information in relation to the content of this blog and from the ATO, please click on the links for the following articles, scam Alerts, Scammers steal over $800,000 during November and Verify or report a scam.