Scams are on the rise and will be part of our digital life from now on.
So, unfortunately, we need to be ever vigilant and wary of suspicious emails, text messages and banking activity.
Importantly, please note the following:
- The ATO will not send you emails about owing or receiving money.
- The ATO will normally use text messages and direct you to your online ATO account.
- If you are ever unsure or suspicious of a financial email, forward it to us and we can advise.
- As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
A recent scam claiming to be from the ATO is currently hitting people’s inbox and looks like this:
Scamwatch tools and resources
The Scamwatch and ACCC websites contain a range of tools and resources about scams:
- Scamwatch Report Form: If you’ve come across a scam, you can report it here.
- Scamwatch reporting statistics: Provides up-to-date statistics on scams reported by Australians.
- Targeting Scams Reports: Yearly report on scam trends and statistics.
- Helping a friend or family member who is a victim to a scam: Useful information if someone close to you has been scammed.
- Be Safe, Be Alert Online: Information on organisations who may be able to help when someone has been scammed.
- Where else to get help: Other organisations who might be able to help when someone has fallen victim to a scam.
- Little Black Book of Scams: Information on identifying a scam (available digitally in a range of languages).