Tax Scams
What is a tax scam?
Tax scams are when scammers claim to be from the tax office or another government agency and use threats of arrest, legal action or other demands to pressure you into handing over money and/or personal details. In some cases, they may simply tell you you're owed a refund or that you have an unexpected tax debt.
What they're after
Tax scammers may try to steal your personal information, such as your tax file number, myGov login or banking details, or pressure you into making payments you don't owe.
Just because someone knows your name, tax details or other personal information doesn't mean the contact is genuine.
Common warning signs of a tax scam
Common tactics
A caller, claiming to be from the ATO, says your tax file number (TFN) has either been suspended or compromised. You must pay a fine or transfer money to a holding account to release it.
Hang up. Do not pay or give out any information.
An email or text message asks for personal information or provides a link to the ATO or MyGov websites to enter your personal information such as driver’s licence, Medicare card and bank account details.
Do not click on the links or provide any personal information.
A caller says you have a tax debt and may threaten you with arrest unless you pay immediately.
Hang up. Do not pay or give out any information.
A person claims you have a tax debt, asks you to pay with in an unusual way such as gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
Do not pay. Hang up, delete the email or text message.
Important:
The Australian government agencies will never threaten you with immediate arrest, demand immediate payment through unusual means over the phone, or send you links to log in or update details for your government account (MyGov, Service Australia). If in doubt, contact your tax agent or the ATO via an independently sourced number.
Remember – Never share your passwords or security codes with anyone.
Tax scam example*
Jane received a text message that appeared to be from myGov about an overdue refund.
The message included a link to "confirm her details". The website looked like myGov, so she entered her login details. After logging in, she was prompted to update her bank account details to "receive the refund".
The scammers then used the stolen details to access her myGov account and attempted to redirect her refund and use her information to commit further fraud.
This was a scam. If you receive a message like this, don't click links - go directly to myGov/ATO using an independently sourced website or number.
Who should I contact if I encounter a tax scam?
Let us know
Contact us immediately to report scams or unusual activity and help protect your accounts.
- Visit our How to report page
Alert the ATO
Contact the Australian Tax Office to check if a message is genuine and report impersonation.
Additional support
Contact IDCARE for free, confidential support if you've shared details or think your identity has been compromised.
Scamwatch
Keep up to date on scams by subscribing to the government's scam email alerts from scamwatch.gov.au/subscribe.
Important information
*Example is based on one or more real scam reports received by Westpac and the ACCC. For privacy purposes real names have not been used.