Be Aware Of Tax Scams

Recently I received an email below.

It looked extremely legitimate and official and because it came from the ATO it came with a certain level of authority and urgency.

But this was a scam.

How do we recognise that it’s a scam?
SCAM EMAIL EXAMPLE

WAYS TO SPOT A SCAM

The most common ways of spotting a scam email is by identifying:

• Poor English/grammar
• Lack of personal info (missing first name, last name) etc
• looking at the “Reply to” address ————-   ↓ ↓ ↓

If it is a different address to what it should be @ato.gov.au compared to @idhmrc-gov.co.uk, then that is the first sign of it being a scam.

Some scam emails can hide this address like below ————————   ↓ ↓ ↓

You can check the address by putting your mouse over it and you will see a pop-up of the link behind the renamed link, (as per above) ↑ ↑ ↑

Most financial institutions will not ask you to update private details over email or links through emails.

If you find any email like this, and you feel it to be suspicious, then contact the company from which you received this and ask them directly whether it is legitimate or not.

Yours Faithfully,

Ed Chan

Founder & Non Executive Chairman Chan & Naylor Accountants

Disclaimer: This article contains general information. Before you make any financial or investment decision you should seek professional advice to take into account your individual objectives, financial situation and individual needs.