ATO Scam Alert

 🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨 Be on the lookout for a new phone #scam claiming your #tax file number (TFN) has been suspended!

Recorded phone calls claiming to be from the #ATO and other government agencies are trying to trick people into providing personal information. These scammers will tell you there’s a legal case against you, and if you don’t follow instructions and provide the information requested, you’ll be arrested.

⚠️ Don’t follow the prompts, and don’t provide the information requested. We will never send unsolicited pre-recorded messages to your phone, or threaten you with immediate arrest. If you’re ever unsure whether an #ATO interaction is genuine, hang up and phone our scam hotline on 1800 008 540. Warn your family and friends to stay alert and visit scam alerts page to learn more:

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Phishing and spear-phishing method of stealing confidential information

 In the recent Stay Smart Online, Alert email advise that there is a significant increase in the past few months of COVID themed phishing scams, using all sorts of lures to try and trick people into handing over personal details.

#Phishing and spear-phishing is a method of stealing confidential information by sending fraudulent messages to a victim, through email or message platforms. They remain among the MOST common method used by malicious #cyber actors to target Australians.

Since the #pandemic's outbreak, the Government’s #Scamwatch has received over 3,060 coronaviruses themed scam reports with over $1,371,000 in reported losses.

#Phishing campaigns can be sent via email, SMS, social media, instant messenger or a phone call. They can look extremely convincing, often imitating legitimate messages from trusted senders in government or business.

See attached are an example of #scam #email that I usually get in my (test) mailbox. Look at the subjects all trying to attract you in a way to click a link or provide details. Especially now Corona and Tax return season they are more active than before.

Hope this helps to Stay safe and on alert don't lose your money or info to the scammers.

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Beware of COVID style scam

 Beware of COVID style scam. This is phone scam but COVID email, app, and web scam also present which I have shared previously

It goes like this
Scammer: Good morning, According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 14 days and take a COVID-19 test.

'OK. Can you tell me who that person was?'

Scam : 'I'm not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.

Right. Um... so ....

Scam : But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?'

Ok (gives address)

Scam : Thank you - and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.'

Sorry - a payment card? I thought this was all free?' - RED ALART here people

Scam : No - I'm afraid not. There is a one-off fee of $50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you're ready.'

No - that's not right

Scam: I'm afraid it is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.'

You should Put the phone down.

This is how #scammers work. And vulnerable people will fall for it.

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