These scammers will often request payment through unusual methods, such as cryptocurrency, pre-paid credit cards or gift cards, and will try to keep people on the line until they have paid.
If you receive a phone call, text message or voicemail like this, do not send payment or provide any personal information. Hang up and delete the message.
The ATO will never threaten you with immediate arrest or demand payment through unusual means. If you are not sure if it is the ATO contacting you, phone them on 1800 008 540 to check.
It is also a good idea to know your tax affairs. You can:
- log in to ATO online services through myGov to check your individual tax affairs;
- log in to the Business Portal to check your business tax affairs;
- contact your tax or BAS agent; and
- contact the ATO using a phone number on their website – ato.gov.au.
JULY 2020 SMS AND EMAIL SCAMS – VERIFY YOUR MYGOV DETAILS
The ATO are receiving increasing reports of several myGov-related SMS and email scams. These scams look like they have come from a myGov or ATO email address. They also might appear in your legitimate ATO or myGov SMS message thread. The image above is one example of an SMS scam currently circulating.
Do not click any links and do not provide the information requested.
You will get email or SMS notifications from myGov whenever there are new messages in your myGov Inbox. However, these messages will never include a link to log on to your myGov account. Always access ATO online services directly via one of the following:
- gov.au;
- gov.au; and
- the ATO app.
All online management of your personal tax affairs should be done in ATO online services, accessed through your genuine myGov account. Any communications containing your personal information, such as your tax file number (TFN), will be sent to your myGov Inbox, not your email account.
You can make accessing your myGov account more secure by opting to receive a security code via SMS. It is a quick and secure way to sign into access ATO online services.
If you receive an SMS or email from the ATO that you think is fraudulent, report it by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you receive an SMS or email that looks like it is from myGov, but it contains a link or appears suspicious, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have clicked on a link or provided your personal information, contact Services Australia on 1800 941 126.