ATO Warns on Tax Scammers

The ATO is warning the community to be aware of fraudsters as they target people lodging their income tax returns by the 31st October 2014 deadline.

New statistics reveal the number of scams reported to the ATO last year more than doubled in just one month from 2,465 in September to 6,593 in October.

“This year we are seeing more targeted scams sent to taxpayers where the perpetrators make the email more convincing by using the latest ATO website imagery and the names and signatures of real ATO staff”, said Chief Technology Officer Todd Heather.

“People should also be aware of a nasty phone scam where taxpayers are threatened with arrest if they do not pay a fake tax debt over the phone.”