Scammers sometimes pretend to be from trusted organisations like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to trick you into giving money or your information. Here is a guide on how to spot a fake message and what you should do if you get one.
How to spot a fake ATO message
You can tell a message, email or call could be a scam if it:
- Includes a link: The ATO will never send you an email or text message with a link for you to click or a QR code to scan.
- Asks for your personal information: They will never ask you to reply with your Tax File Number (TFN), bank details, or myGov log in account.
- Tries to scare you: The ATO will never threaten you or demand that you pay a debt using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash.
- Message you on social media: The ATO will never send you a private message on social media for your details.
Did you know there are changes to how you get text or SMS from businesses?
How to protect yourself
- Keep your logins safe: Never share your personal information or your myGov log in
- Do not click on links: Never click on links or download attachments if you are unsure
Tip: If you get an email, text, or phone call from the ATO and you are not sure if it is real, do not respond. Hang up or ignore the message. Visit the ATO’s official website on your browser and call them to check if it was really them.
If you see a scam, report it. Take a screenshot of the text or social media message, or forward the fake email to reportscams@ato.gov.au, and then delete the message.
If you think you got scammed, act quickly! Call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to report what happened. Make sure to contact your bank so they can help protect your accounts. You can use our Scam first aid: What I need to do now resource to help you.
Supporting your community with text or sms scams? Use our session plan.
Learn more
This article is a summary of the Australian Taxation Office’s article. Learn more on their website.
Keep learning with Be Connected
Visit the Be Connected website to learn more about SMS or text scams.