‘You are due a refund’: The text messages pretending to be from the ATO and scamming Australians out of hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Scammers are targeting Australians waiting for tax refunds from the ATO
- They warn WhatsApp is being used to send texts claiming to be the tax office
- The Australian Taxation Office said they do not have a presence on WhatsApp
Australians are being warned to be aware of scam text messages pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office.
In the last month there has been an increase in scammers using the WhatApp message service to impersonate the ATO and target those waiting for tax refunds.
‘Current reports indicate the scam is the latest twist to the fake tax debt scam,’ explained the ATO.
Australians are being warned to be aware of scam text messages pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office
In that scenario the ‘scammers issued a pre-recorded voice message to your phone demanding immediate payment of a tax debt and threatening immediate arrest.’
In the latest version of the scam a text is sent via WhatsApp informing recipients they need to click on a link regarding their tax refund.
‘The ATO does not have a profile on WhatsApp and will never engage with you on this platform,’ the ATO said.
The tax office warns that these scams may also ask for identity verification such as drivers licence or passport numbers, which may then be used for fraud.
WhatsApp users are advised to keep the app updated to the latest version to ensure the security updates are in place.
Australians are being advised that if they come across the scam and have not given the scammers any money or information they should report the scam online.
For those who have given over sensitive information or payment should call 1800 008 540 – this number can also verify interactions with the ATO are legitimate.
In the latest version of the scam a text is sent via WhatsApp informing recipients they need to click on a link regarding their tax refund