Newsletter
October 2010 Newsletter
Tax Scams on Tax Office Radar
The Tax Office has warned taxpayers to avoid being the victim of identity and tax return fraud. It reminded taxpayers that the Tax Office never sends emails asking for passwords, banking and credit card details. The Tax Office says it will contact taxpayers to request payment in relation to outstanding debts but will not request credit card details from a taxpayer to process a payment on their behalf.
TIP: The Tax Office recommends typing the internet address directly into the internet browser rather than clicking on links embedded in emails. The Tax Office also says taxpayers should report suspicious behaviour or incidents to their financial institutions or to the Tax Office.
Examples of recent tax schemes
• A job aimed at international students advertised in a newspaper directs the students to call and provide their TFN and date of birth. Students are told they will be contacted a few days before they are due to start work. The number is subsequently disconnected and their details used to lodge fraudulent tax returns.
• People claiming to be from the Tax Office call people advising they are entitled to a payment of approximately $3,600 as a bonus for paying their taxes on time. They are asked to provide their personal bank account details so the refund can be deposited. If the phone call is unanswered, a message is left providing a return contact number and a reference code. When this number is called, they are requested to make a payment to a third party bank account, usually for an amount between $150 and $190, to facilitate the refund which is never paid.
• People claiming to be from the Tax Office call to offer $3,000 tax refunds and instruct the person to make a money transfer ($150) to a specific charity in order to receive their refund. The taxpayer is generally given a NSW phone number to contact the ‘Tax Office’ once they have completed the transfer. Personal information, such as the address and date of birth of the taxpayer, is quoted during the conversation to show authenticity, and several private contact numbers are provided.