Internet users havebeen warned of a new email scam that claims to be from the Australian Taxation Office.
Assistant Federal Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry said the emails used the lure of a tax refund to attempt to steal people’s personal information.
“This particular scam is quite sophisticated and uses convincing fakes of what could be easily mistaken for Australian Tax Office web pages,” Senator Sherry said.
Public warned of refund scam
He said the emails used the ATO’s logo, a false ATO email address as the sender, and included the words “tax refund” in the subject heading.
Senator Sherry said the email included the following text: “General information about e-tax, including the demonstration, benefits of using e-tax, computer and eligibility requirements, and security.”
He said there may be variations to the text but that the emails asked people to enter their email, name and date of birth to search for any refund owing.
The email then directs them to a bogus Tax Office website and asks for personal and credit card details.
He said reports indicated that the emails were being sent out in high volumes.
“Anyone who receives the email should delete it immediately,” Senator Sherry said.
“The Tax Office never sends emails asking people to provide personal information or credit card details.
“You should always be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Tax Office, particularly those that encourage you to follow embedded links to other sites.”
Senator Sherry advised anyone who had provided their credit card details on the site to contact their credit card provider.
Further information on the scam was available from www.ato.gov.au
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