ATO Warns Individuals To Beware Of Tax Refund Email Scam

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

08 January 2009

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning people about a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a refund from the Tax Office.

The scam has been described as similar to previous scams and uses the Tax Office logo and the words ‘Notification - Please read’ or ‘Australian Taxation Office - Please Read This’ in the subject heading.

There may also be other variations to these subject headings circulating.

The email asks people to click on a link which directs them to a bogus website that looks similar to the Tax Office website and asks for credit card and personal details.

The ATO has reminded individuals that it never sends emails asking people to provide personal information including credit card details.

Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said anyone who receives the email should delete it immediately:

“People should be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Tax Office."

“As an extra precaution we recommend you type internet addresses directly into your internet browser rather than clicking on links embedded in emails.”

These websites are often set up in multiple jurisdictions making them difficult to trace and to effectively shut them down.

The ATO has also issued a warning to any individuals who have entered their credit card information on the website, urging them to immediately report it to their credit card provider.

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