With tax time, comes a rise in opportunistic ATO impersonation scams. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a warning regarding a significant increase in scam activities during this period.
While scams generally do tend to rise at this time of year, the ATO has seen an alarming 300 per cent increase in scams compared to the same time last year. Scammers are impersonating the ATO to harvest personal information, aiming for identity theft and further fraudulent activities.
This surge in scams is particularly concerning given the general lack of awareness about how the ATO communicates with taxpayers. It is important to note that the ATO primarily communicates through the myGov inbox rather than direct emails, phone calls or text messages. The pressure of tax season, combined with this lack of understanding, often leads to individuals falling victim to these scams.
Identifying these scams is becoming increasingly challenging. Scammers are now leveraging artificial intelligence to replicate official ATO emails with alarming accuracy. This means that even the most vigilant individuals can be misled. A single click can result in financial loss, identity theft and repeated fraud attempts.
Our recommendation is to exercise caution with any unexpected messages regarding your tax or finances. If you receive a surprise message, take a moment to think clearly about its origin. Avoid clicking on links or calling numbers provided in the message. Instead, go directly to myGov or the official ATO website to verify the information. If you remain uncertain, please contact us at Financially Sorted for assistance. We are here to help you review your ATO accounts and provide the necessary support.
In today’s environment, a moment of caution can prevent serious trouble. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to assist you.