Tax time is fast approaching, and while many of us are busy gathering receipts and prepping for our annual date with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), there’s another group getting ready for the end of the financial year—scammers.
The ATO has sounded the alarm, warning Australians to brace for a ‘deluge’ of tax scam emails and text messages in the coming weeks—messages designed to catch even the most vigilant among us off guard.
A surge in scams: Why now?
According to the ATO, there’s been a staggering 300 per cent increase in impersonation scam emails compared to this time last year.
It’s no coincidence. Scammers know that as 30 June approaches, we’re all expecting to hear from the ATO—making it the perfect time to strike.
Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia’s tax lead, Jenny Wong, says we should all prepare for a flood of scam activity, with fraudsters exploiting the confusion and urgency that often comes with tax season.
‘Scammers take advantage of any situation, and at tax time that means targeting unsuspecting individuals through unsolicited messages claiming to be the ATO or another reputable organisation,’ Ms Wong explains.
‘These “phishing” scams not only look legitimate, but they’re designed to catch you off-guard. 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 judgement.’
How do these scams work?
The tactics are clever and constantly evolving.
Scammers send emails or texts that look like they’re from the ATO, often with subject lines such as ‘Urgent new notification In your account inbox’ or ‘New Tax Lodgement’.
The messages might claim you’re owed a significant refund, or that you need to act quickly to avoid a penalty.
They’ll often include a link, supposedly to your myGov account or to view ‘official government correspondence’.
But here’s the catch: the ATO never sends hyperlinks in unsolicited SMS messages, and they’ll never ask for your password, account numbers, or other sensitive information via email or text.
If you see a message asking for these details, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Once scammers have your personal information, they can steal your identity and commit fraud in your name.
The ATO warns that scammers rely on you being busy and distracted—especially as you’re wrapping up the end of the financial year—so they’ll pressure you to respond quickly, hoping you won’t take the time to verify the message.
The cost of complacency
The numbers are sobering. Australians lost a whopping $119 million to scams in the first four months of 2025 alone, according to Scamwatch.
While the overall number of scam reports actually dropped by nearly a quarter to 72,230, the amount lost to phishing scams nearly tripled—from $4.6 million in early 2024 to $13.7 million this year.
It’s a stark reminder that scammers are getting more sophisticated, and their tactics are working.
Spotting a scam: What to look for
So, how can you protect yourself? Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Unsolicited messages: If you receive an unexpected email or text claiming to be from the ATO, be cautious.
- Hyperlinks in SMS: The ATO does not use hyperlinks in unsolicited SMS messages.
- Requests for sensitive information: The ATO will never ask for your password, account numbers, or other personal details via email or SMS.
- Urgency or threats: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming you’ll be penalised if you don’t act immediately.
- Too good to be true: Be wary of messages promising large refunds or unexpected benefits.
What should you do if you’re unsure?
If you receive a message and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate, don’t click any links or provide any information.
Instead, contact the ATO directly on 1800 008 540, or visit their website to verify or report a scam.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Staying safe: Tips for tax time
- Double-check the sender: Look closely at the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to official ones but may have subtle differences.
- Access myGov directly: Never click on links in emails or texts. Instead, go directly to the myGov website by typing the address into your browser.
- Keep your software updated: Make sure your computer and phone have the latest security updates installed.
- Talk to friends and family: Scammers often target older Australians, so have a chat with your loved ones about what to look out for.
Have you been targeted?
As tax time approaches, staying informed about the latest scams is essential to protect yourself and your personal information.
Awareness and caution remain the best defence against increasingly sophisticated attempts to impersonate official agencies like the ATO.
It’s important to understand the common tactics scammers use and to know how to verify any suspicious communications before responding.
Have you encountered scam messages related to tax or other official matters recently? How do you usually verify the authenticity of such communications? Do you think enough is being done to educate and protect Australians from these scams? We invite you to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Are you at risk? How new AI-powered scams target Australians right now
As my father and grandfather repeatedly kept telling me in the 60’s, there’s one born every minute.
Doesn’t matter how many times you warn people, tell people, inform people. You can’t fix stupid.