Are you too smart to be scammed?
Scams Awareness Week is happening from 12-16 August.
You may think you could never fall victim to a scam, and may think you know how to spot one from a mile away. However more and more frequently people are being targeted and falling victim to a tax related scam. Scammers are now becoming more sophisticated and can make themselves look and sound legit. A reminder that ANYONE can be targeted, but you can be more alert and acute when spotting a scam and prevent yourself from becoming victim. The ATO have put out many articles on scam awareness, and have given many pointers on how to spot them. Please keep in mind that the ATO would never:
- Threaten you with immediate arrest
- Ask for payment via vouchers such as iTunes, Google Play or by cryptocurrency
- Keep you on the line until payment is made
- Ask you for payment of your tax debt into a bank account not held by the Reserve Bank of Australia
Please never reply if you are even a little bit unsure whether the ATO contact you received is genuine.
You can always phone the ATO on 1800 008 540 to make sure and report scams.
More about National Scams Awareness Week on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/national-scams-awareness-week-2019-12-16-august
Credit and reference to the Australian Taxation Office’s Small business Newsroom, and the ACCC.
WANT TO TALK?
Feel free to contact our office on 07 5493 2111 anytime by phone or email info@totalbusinesspartners.com.au.