Received a Suspicious ATO Text or Email? Here’s What You Should Do
Scams impersonating the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are on the rise, and many of them arrive via SMS or email, often looking quite convincing. As tax time approaches, it’s more important than ever to stay alert and know how to spot a fake message claiming to be from the ATO.
Here’s how to identify a dodgy message—and what to do if you receive one.
📱 How These Messages Typically Look
Scam ATO texts and emails can look real. They might:
- Mention a tax refund or unpaid tax debt
- Include an urgent “Click here to pay” or “Claim now” link
- Use language like “final notice”, “immediate action required” or “legal consequences”
- Appear to come from ATO or myGov (sometimes spoofed to look official)
- Contain grammatical errors, shortened links, or non-ATO domains
🔗 Remember: The ATO will never send you a message with a direct link to log into your MyGov or ask for payment via email or SMS.
🚩 Signs It’s a Scam
Ask yourself:
- Does the message ask you to click a link?
- Is it threatening urgent action or legal outcomes?
- Is the sender using a strange email address or phone number?
- Are you being asked to provide bank details, passwords, or TFNs?
If the answer is yes to any of these—do not click anything and do not respond.
✅ What to Do if You Receive One
- Don’t click any links or open attachments
- Don’t respond—even to unsubscribe
- Take a screenshot of the message
- Forward email or SMS scams to: ReportScams@ato.gov.au
- Delete the message once reported
🛡 Double-Check With Me First
If you receive a message and you’re not sure if it’s legitimate—contact me or your Accountant directly before taking any action. I’m happy to check ATO correspondence for my clients and confirm if it’s genuine.
📩 You can reach me at admin@bectax.com.au
📞 Or give me a call if you’d prefer to run it past me quickly.
It’s always better to check than risk handing over personal information to a scammer.
🔒 How to Stay Safe
- Set up multi-factor authentication on your MyGov and email accounts
- Only access ATO services through my.gov.au
- Be cautious of shortened or strange-looking links
- Keep your devices updated and secured with antivirus software
- If you’re unsure, ask your registered tax agent (that’s me!)
⚖️ Disclaimer
The information in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon as specific advice. If in doubt, speak with your registered tax agent or contact the ATO directly via official channels.
