ATO issues urgent tax return warning as Aussies risk losing over $1,500: ‘One step ahead'

Yahoo

5 days ago

Millions of Australians are preparing to lodge their tax returns and scammers are actively trying to exploit the situation. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reported a sharp rise in impersonation scams, with the vast majority sent via email.
Scammers are contacting Aussies claiming to be from the ATO to try to steal their personal information. If successful, scammers can use stolen details to commit fraud by lodging fake tax returns, and commit broader identity theft and financial crimes.
The ATO said it had seen a 150 per cent increase in impersonation scams over the last 12 months, with 90 per cent sent over email.
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'This is the time of year when people are awaiting their tax returns or expecting to hear from the ATO, and scammers know it,' ATO assistant commissioner Rob Thomson said.
The tax office said it had strengthened the ATO app's security features, with Aussies now able to monitor their accounts in real-time through alerts when changes are made to their ATO record and instant account locking.
'Downloading the ATO app is a simple and effective way to stay one step ahead,' Thomson said.
'If you receive a notification and something doesn't feel right, lock your account immediately in our app, and verify and report the interaction on the ATO website or by calling 1800 467 033 during business hours to discuss any suspicious activity.'
CPA Australia said it had seen scam emails with titles like 'urgent new notification in your account inbox' that directed people to log into their myGov account and claimed to provide a secure link.
Others try to trick individuals to click links to see 'official government correspondence', an 'update regarding your benefits', 'a new refund notification', or say you need to click to 'avoid being penalised'.
Phishing scams cost Aussies $13.7 million this year
Data from the National Anti-Scam Centre shows there has been a significant increase in scam losses in the first four months of the year.
The biggest increase was from phishing scams, which involve scammers impersonating entities like government agencies or financial institutions. This accounted for $13.7 million in financial losses, compared to $4.6 million in early 2024.
Norton research found a third of Aussies had already been targeted by a scam this year, including fake invoice scams and phishing. It found 21 per cent of those targeted fell victim, with 62 per cent of those suffering financial loss averaging $1,537.
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said unsolicited contact claiming to be from the ATO was likely to be a scam.
'Scammers may also use spoofed phone numbers, fake caller IDs, and convincing email templates to appear legitimate,' she said.
'Don't let scammers pressure you. We urge all Australians to 'stop, check and protect' before reacting to an unexpected call or message and keep front of mind that the ATO and myGov do not use links in their messages.'
Along with using the ATO app, the tax office recommends using digital ID like myID to securely access online services, turning on multi-factor authentication wherever possible, using strong and unique passwords or passphrases, and keeping your devices and software updated.
The ATO has reminded Aussies that it will never send you a link asking for your personal information or for you to log into online services.