This Scams Awareness Week, detectives from the Cybercrime Squad are urging Victorians to be vigilant of scammers targeting myGov sign in details to commit tax fraud.
Since 30 June of this year, Victoria Police has received over 300 reports, with a total reported loss of at least $2M so far.
Scammers will use the cover of events such as annual tax time to lure potential victims. Common phrases currently being used by scammers include:
• ‘You are due to receive an ATO Direct refund’
• ‘You have a new message in your myGov inbox – click here to view’
• ‘You need to update your details to allow your Tax return to be processed’
• ‘We need to verify your incoming tax deposit’
• ‘ATO Refund failed due to incorrect BSB/Account number’
• ‘Your income statement is ready, click on the link to view’
Once the offenders have gained access to an account, they will often change phone and email contact details which can prevent the real user from receiving any notifications. They will then amend a tax return or other government payment, redirecting the funds to be paid into their own account.
Since 30 June of this year, Victoria Police has received:
• 180 reports of government payment redirection,
• 66 reports of unauthorised online account access (ATO or myGov),
• 48 reports of myGov SMS impersonation, and
• 15 reports of identity takeover (myGov account)
The 309 reports thus far equal a total reported loss of $2,056,841.
Report any suspicious contact claiming to be from the ATO to ReportScams@ato.gov.au.
Anyone with any information on scam activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
