ATO Tax Refund Scam Warning

The Queensland Police Service Fraud and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) has been receiving regular complaints from members of the public alleging that they have been receiving emails from the Australian Taxation Office purporting to offer a tax refund of $286.22.

The reader is asked to select a link to their Banking provider (the names of the five major banks are provided). This link will then seek to harvest identity and financial information.

“As we approach the end of the financial year and tax time nears, fraudsters will seek to dupe members of the public into surrendering their identity and financial information under the guise of representing the Australian Taxation Office”, says Detective Superintendent Brian Hay.

To provide an air of legitimacy to their criminal operations the fraudsters have included an “authentic” 1300 number used by the ATO for their Publications Distribution Service.

“Any person who receives this email should delete it immediately and not click any link embedded in the email”, says Detective Superintendent Brian Hay. He says, “We can expect these types of emails to continue during the current period and it is imperative people remain alert for these types of frauds.”

Contact the Fraud and Cyber Crime Group if you wish to discuss your circumstances by phoning 07 3364 6622.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.