In this day and age where text messages, phone calls, and emails are the norm, receiving something suggesting it is from the ATO doesn’t necessarily cause red flags to pop up anymore. 

Suggesting that you are in debt, are owed a refund or a request for personal details, again may not make you jump to concern.  If you are an informed taxpayer, then you may be cautious and do your own due diligence before handing over any personal details, however, there are those who are out there that are still being duped by these ever-creative scammers.

Take this one example, where a scammer tried very hard to lure a client of ours.  The taxpayer received a voicemail with a message to return the call to discuss an outstanding tax bill.  When the client returned the call, the caller asked them who their accountant was and asked for the phone number so that the caller could discuss the matter with them.  The client was instructed not to speak to anyone other than responding to a call from their accountant.  The client then received a call from what appeared to be our office.  Very creatively, the phone number that appeared on our client’s mobile phone screen was, in fact, one of our RSM phone numbers, however the caller’s name and voice was not of their normal accountant.  It was at this point that our client became concerned and came to our office worried about her outstanding bill and arrest warrant.

Our client was discerning and didn’t hand over any personal information. 

Reading all of the information you get from your accountant, staying on top of lodgement deadlines and tax affairs, being in control of outstanding amounts and reporting and sharing any suspect behaviour will help everyone not fall prey to scams.  Set up, access, monitor and review your information through myGov.  Guard your personal and financial information and be careful of attachment links and downloading files or apps.

If it just doesn’t feel right, the ATO have suggested digging deeper for details.  Asking for full name, phone number, extension number, and the caller’s team leader’s full name and extension number for verification by the Tax Office has been one of their recommendations.  A call to your accountant can also help to provide some clarity in relation to any information provided in correspondence with the ATO. 

Remember, if you think it’s a scam – it probably is.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON  SPOTTING AND AVOIDING SCAMS 
If you need further assistance to regarding any of the content discussed in this article, get in contact with your local RSM representative.

This article first appeared in Farm Weekly.