Scam Alert: Protect Yourself and Your Business

Scam alert: protecting yourself from tax and ATO scams

Tax and financial scams are becoming increasingly common in Australia. Many scams are designed to look like messages from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or other trusted organisations.

This guide explains common warning signs and practical steps you can take to protect yourself.

How tax and ATO scams usually work

Tax‑related scams often rely on fear or urgency to pressure people into acting quickly.



Scams may arrive as:

  • emails claiming you are owed a tax refund
  • SMS messages warning of tax debt or penalties
  • phone calls threatening legal action or arrest
  • requests to confirm personal or login details

Scammers often copy ATO language, branding, and formatting to appear legitimate.

Common warning signs to look out for



Be cautious if a message:

  • asks you to act immediately
  • requests your TFN, myGov login or banking details
  • contains links or attachments you were not expecting
  • comes from an unfamiliar email address or mobile number
  • asks for payment using gift cards or cryptocurrency

The ATO does not demand immediate payment using unusual methods and does not ask for sensitive information via unsolicited SMS or email.

What to do if you receive a suspected scam



If you are unsure about a message:

  • do not click any links or download attachments
  • do not reply to the message
  • do not provide personal or financial information

Check your official ATO correspondence directly through your myGov account or by speaking with your registered tax agent.

If you think you have already responded to a scam

If you believe you may have interacted with a scammer:

  • contact the ATO immediately
  • change passwords for myGov, email and banking services
  • monitor accounts for unusual activity

Acting quickly can help limit potential damage.

Staying informed about current scams

The ATO regularly publishes information about current scam activity and impersonation attempts.

You can view official ATO scam warnings here:


ATO scam alerts and warnings

Getting professional support

If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, a registered tax agent can help verify legitimate ATO correspondence and guide you on next steps.

For individual tax support and advice, you can find more information here:


Individual tax return services