Stay vigilant against tax scams this end of financial year
With the end of the financial year approaching, the NSW Government urges people to stay vigilant against scams related to tax time via phone calls, text messages and emails.
An end of financial year or tax scam usually involves contact from an individual pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or another government department.
These impersonations usually require urgent payment of a tax debt or request personal information to process a tax refund.
Consumers may also be targeted via email or SMS claiming to be from MyGov and will include links to provide financial information and personal information to receive fake refunds.
Tips to stay safe from tax scams
Beware of unsolicited communication
Be cautious when receiving unexpected phone calls, text messages or emails regarding your tax return. The ATO will not cold-call or provide links via text messages to individuals requesting payment or personal information.
Never provide personal details, such as your tax file number, banking information or licence number details to anyone without verifying their authenticity. Legitimate organisations will never ask you for your personal information over the phone, text message or email.
Question any requests for payments
The ATO does not demand payment through unconventional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency or bank transfers. If asked to make a payment using these methods, it is likely a scam.
Verify the communication before acting
If you receive a communication claiming to be from the ATO, independently verify its legitimacy by contacting the official ATO helpline on 1800 008 540 or visiting their official website. Do not rely on contact details provided by the potential scammer.
Responding to being scammed
Contact your bank immediately
If you think you may have fallen victim to a tax scam, contact your bank immediately. The best chance of recovering your funds is when action is taken as soon as possible, your bank can also implement security measures to your accounts.
Report the scam to ReportCyber
If you have lost money or provided personal information to a potential scammer, contact ReportCyber to officially report the scam. This report will be referred directly to the relevant law enforcement department.
Report the scam to Scamwatch
If you were not impacted by the scam, contact Scamwatch to report the scam. This report will help Scamwatch learn more about scammers' activities in Australia and helps them design new and better ways to stop them whilst also informing communities about emerging scams.
Contact ID Support NSW for identity protection
Seek identity remediation assistance and advice from ID Support NSW, ID Support NSW advisors can assist with credit blocks and other identity protection measures for impacted individuals.
Contact Lifeline for crisis support
For crisis support to help with emotional distress about scams, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access support via online chat. Being scammed can be a stressful experience, there are support services ready to help you.