Tax time is just around the corner, and while many of us are busy gathering receipts and prepping our paperwork, there’s another group working overtime: scammers.
And this year, they’re getting sneakier than ever, targeting Australians before we’ve even had our first cuppa.
Accountants and cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm about a new wave of impersonation scams, specifically timed to hit your inbox or phone in the early hours.
The goal? To catch you off guard, bleary-eyed and perhaps not quite on your game.
Why early mornings?
According to Jenny Wong, tax lead at CPA Australia, these so-called ‘phishing’ scams are meticulously crafted to look like legitimate messages from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
‘They’re designed to catch you off guard,’ she explains. ‘That’s why you’ll often see them arrive first thing in the morning—when you may be more likely to have a momentary lapse in judgment.’
Scammers know that tax season is a time when we’re expecting to hear from the ATO. They exploit this by sending emails and texts that create a sense of urgency—think subject lines like ‘Urgent new notification in your account inbox’ or ‘Immediate action required for your tax refund.’
These messages often contain links to fake myGov login pages, hoping you’ll enter your details before you’ve had a chance to think twice.
A surge in scam activity
The numbers are sobering. The ATO reports that impersonation scams have surged by more than 300 per cent in the past year.
The National Anti-Scam Centre says Australians have already lost a staggering $13.7 million to impersonation scams since January—almost triple the $4.6 million lost in the same period last year.
And it’s not just emails. Scammers are also using SMS, social media, and even phone calls to try to trick you into handing over personal or financial information.
How to spot a scam
So, how can you protect yourself? Here are some red flags to watch for:
- Unusual timing: Be wary of messages that arrive in the early hours or at odd times.
- Hyperlinks in texts or emails: The ATO will never send you a link to log in to your myGov account. Always access government sites by typing the address directly into your browser.
- Sender’s email address: Look for anomalies or misspellings in the sender’s address.
- Grammatical errors: Watch for Americanised spellings or awkward phrasing.
- Requests for urgent action: Scammers love to create a sense of panic—don’t let them rush you.
- Requests for personal or financial information: The ATO will never ask for sensitive details via email or SMS.
What to do if you’re targeted
If you receive a suspicious message, don’t click any links or provide any information. Instead, report it to the ATO or the National Anti-Scam Centre.
You can also forward scam emails to [email protected] or report SMS scams by forwarding the message to 0429 999 888.
And if you’re ever unsure, contact the ATO directly using the official contact details on their website—not the ones provided in the suspicious message.
Staying safe this tax season
Tax time should be about getting your finances in order—not worrying about falling victim to a scam. By staying vigilant, especially in those early morning hours, you can protect yourself and your hard-earned money.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a tax scam? What tips do you have for staying safe online? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below—let’s help each other out this tax season!
Also read: Are you at risk? How new AI-powered scams target Australians right now
