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There are an ever-increasing number of email and SMS scams doing the rounds, but perhaps most troubling is the fact that they are getting more and more believable.

In our industry, they are typically sent from scammers purporting to be the ATO and seeking additional information from the taxpayer. There is even anecdotal evidence to suggest that one scam doing the rounds somehow had the specifics of taxpayers’ refunds in the wording of the email.

We thought it timely to pass on 4 key things to remember if you are confronted with a suspicious email or SMS:

1. The ATO will never ask you for your tax file number (TFN), bank details or other personal information in an electronic communication to you (including email or text message).
2. Be cautious when clicking on hyperlinks embedded in SMS and emails. You should always access ATO services by visiting ato.gov.au or my.gov.au or via the ATO app.
3. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a myGov notification you have received, you should go directly to the myGov homepage and sign in to check your Inbox.
4. Make sure you keep your tax file number (TFN) and passwords secure. Don’t share your password with others and never reply to emails with your password or other sensitive information, such as your TFN, including to prospective employers.

Above all else, if you have any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your PT Partners advisor for their thoughts.

Darren Hagarty is a Director of PT Partners.