Are you aware? Don’t Let Scammers Take Advantage: Stay Alert During Tax Time.

Holmans Accountants want to ensure that everyone is well-informed about the potential risks posed by scammers during the upcoming tax season. Being aware of the warning signs is essential to safeguard yourself from falling prey to fraudulent activities.

One prevalent scam involves scammers impersonating professionals like us on social media platforms. They may offer assistance with tax and super-related queries, but their true intention is to deceive and obtain your personal information. We strongly advise you to interact only with our website, Facebook and LinkedIn account.

Another deceptive tactic used by scammers is sending misleading links that appear legitimate but actually direct you to fake online portals. These portals are designed to trick you into providing your myGov login credentials, enabling scammers to gain unauthorized access to your personal information. Remember, the ATO will never send you links to log in to your online services. To ensure your security, always access your services directly through ato.gov.au, my.gov.au, or the ATO app.

It is also important to remain cautious of phone calls from individuals pretending to represent the ATO. Scammers often employ tactics to engage you in lengthy conversations, aiming to extract sensitive personal details. We urge you to exercise caution and avoid engaging with any suspicious contacts, whether through phone calls or online. Instead, if you have any doubts, please contact us directly at Holmans to verify the legitimacy of the interaction.

You can check if a suspicious communication or interaction is a known scam by visiting https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Online-services/Identity-security-and-scams/Scam-alerts/ on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. The ATO provides a dedicated section on their website, specifically designed to address identity security and scams. You can access valuable information and resources, including scam alerts, to stay updated on the latest fraudulent activities.

It is worth noting that the ATO has already received a significant number of scam reports even before the tax season has officially begun. In light of this, the Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones, has issued a warning about the anticipated increase in fraudulent activity during tax time. As professionals in the field, we are committed to protecting you and ensuring your financial well-being. Stay vigilant and be mindful of these common tax scams.

Disclaimer: This article contains general information only. Regrettably, no responsibility can be accepted for errors, omissions or possible misleading statements or for any action taken as a result of any material in this guide. It is not designed to be a substitute for professional advice, as such a brief guide cannot hope to cover all circumstances and conditions applying to the law as it relates to these items.