ATO warns against tax fraudsters

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued a warning to the public over tax fraudsters offering to put their tax returns together.

Almost 87,000 phone and email scams were reported to the ATO in 2015, which was a 90 per cent increase on 2014. Assistant commissioner Graham Whyte is, therefore, asking taxpayers to be vigilant over their personal information, as they could be putting themselves at serious risk.

Already this year from January to May, the ATO has received more than 40,500 phone scam reports that include 226 Australians handing over $1.2 million to fraudsters.

The ATO is urging people to contact their helpline on 1800 008 540 if they think they have been contacted by a fraudster, or are concerned they have fallen victim to a phone scam.

 

Last updated: 15th July 2016