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ABC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Scammers are pretending to be the ATO and myGov. Here's what suspicious emails or texts may look like
Tax time is prime season for scammers. It's a period where we're rushing to get our affairs in order, waiting to hear from the government about debts we'll have to pay, or refunds we'll receive. Scammers know this and are poised to capitalise on the eagerness and financial anxiety many of us feel around the end of the financial year. Here's how to tell whether myGov and ATO texts or emails are legitimate — and how to keep your information safe. Tax time scams often come in the form of phishing emails, texts or phone calls from scammers posing as the ATO or myGov. "Their goal is to trick people into clicking malicious links or handing over sensitive information," says Tyler McGee, from online protection company McAfee. "With this information, scammers can commit identify theft, access your myGov account to redirect tax refunds, Centrelink payments or superannuation, or even lodge false tax returns in your name." This is all done by offering a link in an email or text that leads to a fake website. Data analysts at Australia and New Zealand's national identity and cyber support service, IDCARE, always detect a spike in scams impersonating the ATO in the three months after the EOFY. "Last year, we saw a 105 per cent increase in the number of scams reported impersonating the ATO in the months after the EOFY to the general closing date for returns," IDCARE's Kathy Sundstrom says. Because most Australians are expecting to hear from the ATO or myGov, making fake messages seem more legitimate. "There's also a sense of urgency and anxiety around tax deadlines, refunds, and the fear of making mistakes, which makes people more likely to respond without thinking," Mr McGee said. Ms Sundstrom said because scammers send out millions of messages, they only need a "small number of people to think the message makes sense for their scam to be hugely profitable". Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre says there are a few dead giveaways. To help, we've included a few scam email examples that we've received over the past few weeks. But keep in mind that suspicious correspondence can look even more convincing than the one's included here. The first sign of a scam text or email is a hyperlink. These links will take you to a fake website designed to steal your personal information. So any email asking you to follow or click on a link should be treated with caution. "The ATO and myGov won't send you an SMS or email with a link to access online services," the ATO said in a warning on its website. "These should be accessed directly by typing or into your browser." QR codes are also common hallmarks of a scam. Are you told you have a limited time to respond? Scammers will create a feeling of urgency in the hope victims won't think critically about the message or seek advice if they think immediate action is needed. In the examples provided, the scammers have used words like "urgent" and "act fast" to convince you to react before time runs out. Here are some other phrases you could stumble across: The link in the email address often won't look right when you compare it to official correspondence. It will likely have some inaccuracies such as: If you notice awkward phrasing, incorrect capitalisation, spelling or grammar, you're likely reading a scam message. Also keep an eye on the formatting and font used. You can see in the examples that scammers may mix and match font types that doesn't look quite right. The ATO will never send you an unsolicited message asking you to provide sensitive information over SMS or email. So if you're asked to hand over your tax file number (TFN), driver's licence number, bank details, pay slips and Medicare details, that's a red flag. Scammers impersonating the ATO may also contact you by phone, claiming you haven't paid enough tax and demanding you cover the shortfall. To get you to act quickly, they may even use the threat of arrest unless you pay right away. Here are some other telltale signs you're on the line with a scammer: Stop, think and protect yourself. People fall victim to scams when their guard is down. When you're expecting a tax refund, it's easy to act on autopilot and click a link in a text message or email when you receive one. Remember to slow down and question whether it's legitimate. If you receive suspicious communication from the ATO or myGov, don't give away any information, scan any codes or download any attachments. Delete it immediately. MyGov emails should always be from noreply@ Because scammers often make fake websites that mimic myGov, you should always access the website by typing into your browser or use the official myGov app, Ms Sundstrom says. You can call the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk if you: If you have sent money to a scammer, you should contact your bank or financial institution immediately and ask them to stop any transactions. They can also help you block or cancel any credit or debit cards if you shared those details with scammers. IDCARE can also help give advice on securing your online accounts.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- West Australian
‘Too good to be true': Elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam duping buyers into driving five hours
A Perth man was lured out to a remote property in an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam involving an innocent homeowner. Aspiring DJ Tejas Manoj was scouring the online platform when he came across an advertisement offering decks for just $1100 — the equipment usually retails for around $2500 to $3000. Despite the 20-year-old retail worker thinking the deal sounded 'too good to be true', he messaged the seller to enquire further. The Marketplace listing stated the seller was located in the Perth CBD area, but when Mr Manoj enquired, he was told he would have to pick the DJ decks up from an address in a Wheatbelt town more than 200km out of Perth. 'They told me to come the next day in the morning... they were in Kellerberrin, which was a two and a half hour drive away from me,' Mr Manoj said. The scammer also said that if Mr Manoj wanted to transfer the money rather than use cash, then the transaction needed to be done before he arrived to pick up the equipment. Mr Manoj decided the long drive was worth it and was told he had to be at the property between 8am and 9am the next day to collect the goods. 'I left my house at 5.30 in the morning, and got there around 8am, and when I got to the address I messaged them, and there was no response,' he said. 'I was about to go knock on the door, and when I went to go have a look at the door there's a note saying 'There's no marketplace item here, our address has been used as part of a scam'.' Taped to the front door of the Kellerberrin address was a letter informing people that the address was frequently being used in Marketplace scams, and that the residents had nothing to do with the sale. Mr Manoj said he had a 'very depressing two and a half hour drive back home' but was happy to return home with the $1100 still in his pocket. Mr Manoj said his friends warned him the outcome could have been a lot worse. 'My (friend) thought that I was going to get jumped by a bunch of guys outside the address and they're just going to take my money,' he said. The ad for the decks Mr Manoj tried to buy is still up on Facebook, with the photo for the listing also being found on another website. While Mr Manoj walked away from the scam only losing five hours of his day and a tank of petrol, many others don't come out so lucky. National identity and cyber support service IDCARE's manager for outreach and engagement Kathy Sundstrom said often innocent homeowners are caught up in these scams. 'When someone asks where they live, the scammer may provide a real address. When the buyer turns up, the poor homeowner is bewildered — they're also a victim in the scam,' Ms Sundstrom said. However, Ms Sundstorm revealed there are signs that giveaway a Marketplace scam. 'The most obvious one is the one we like to ignore — when the price is really good, if it's too good to be true, it usually is,' she said. 'If the person asks for unusual payment methods, such as a 'holding deposit' or payment via gift cards, that's another red flag. 'If the person asks you to share your driver licence, passport, or other valuable credentials to 'prove you are who you say you are' — delete them! Even if they share theirs, it's most often the stolen credential of another victim.' 'If suspicious of a listing, potential buyers are being urged to never pay a holding deposit for an item, meet the seller in person and take extra caution of high-value items like phones.'
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Perth Now
Perth marketplace scam duping buyers into a five hour drive
A Perth man was lured out to a remote property in an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam involving an innocent homeowner. Aspiring DJ Tejas Manoj was scouring the online platform when he came across an advertisement offering decks for just $1100 — the equipment usually retails for around $2500 to $3000. Despite the 20-year-old retail worker thinking the deal sounded 'too good to be true', he messaged the seller to enquire further. The Marketplace listing stated the seller was located in the Perth CBD area, but when Mr Manoj enquired, he was told he would have to pick the DJ decks up from an address in a Wheatbelt town more than 200km out of Perth. 'They told me to come the next day in the morning... they were in Kellerberrin, which was a two and a half hour drive away from me,' Mr Manoj said. The scam listings remain on Facebook Marketplace. Credit: Facebook The scammer also said that if Mr Manoj wanted to transfer the money rather than use cash, then the transaction needed to be done before he arrived to pick up the equipment. Mr Manoj decided the long drive was worth it and was told he had to be at the property between 8am and 9am the next day to collect the goods. 'I left my house at 5.30 in the morning, and got there around 8am, and when I got to the address I messaged them, and there was no response,' he said. 'I was about to go knock on the door, and when I went to go have a look at the door there's a note saying 'There's no marketplace item here, our address has been used as part of a scam'.' There was nothing but a sign at the front door letting the prospective buyer know they had been duped. Credit: Supplied Taped to the front door of the Kellerberrin address was a letter informing people that the address was frequently being used in Marketplace scams, and that the residents had nothing to do with the sale. Mr Manoj said he had a 'very depressing two and a half hour drive back home' but was happy to return home with the $1100 still in his pocket. Tejas Manoj was the victim of a bizzare Facebook Marketplace scam. Credit: Supplied Mr Manoj said his friends warned him the outcome could have been a lot worse. 'My (friend) thought that I was going to get jumped by a bunch of guys outside the address and they're just going to take my money,' he said. The ad for the decks Mr Manoj tried to buy is still up on Facebook, with the photo for the listing also being found on another website. The scam listings remain on Facebook Marketplace. Credit: Facebook While Mr Manoj walked away from the scam only losing five hours of his day and a tank of petrol, many others don't come out so lucky. National identity and cyber support service IDCARE's manager for outreach and engagement Kathy Sundstrom said often innocent homeowners are caught up in these scams. 'When someone asks where they live, the scammer may provide a real address. When the buyer turns up, the poor homeowner is bewildered — they're also a victim in the scam,' Ms Sundstrom said. The scammer has 10 listings up with photos sourced from other websites. Credit: Facebook However, Ms Sundstorm revealed there are signs that giveaway a Marketplace scam. 'The most obvious one is the one we like to ignore — when the price is really good, if it's too good to be true, it usually is,' she said. 'If the person asks for unusual payment methods, such as a 'holding deposit' or payment via gift cards, that's another red flag. 'If the person asks you to share your driver licence, passport, or other valuable credentials to 'prove you are who you say you are' — delete them! Even if they share theirs, it's most often the stolen credential of another victim.' 'If suspicious of a listing, potential buyers are being urged to never pay a holding deposit for an item, meet the seller in person and take extra caution of high-value items like phones.'
