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How to spot a scam
Dawson & Partners • Dec 13, 2021
Advancements in technology have allowed scammers to become more professional in their approach. The Government is urging all Australians to keep their personal information secure and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Latest scam alerts:-
- Email scam : scammers are sending fake ATO emails telling you will receive a tax refund. They ask you to update your financial information on an attached form to process the refund. Do not provide the information requested, and delete the email straight away.
- Text message scam : scammers are sending scam text messages asking you to verify your myGov details with a link to log on to your myGov account. Don't click any links and don't provide the information requested.
- Phone scam : scammers are contacting people by using technology to make it look like the calls originate from a legitimate ATO phone number and leaving voicemail messages threatening the recipients with arrest due to an unknown tax debt or suspected tax evasion. Do not return the call.
How to spot an ATO scam
The ATO will not:
- be abusive or offensive to you;
- threaten you with immediate arrest;
- ask you to transfer money into an account with a BSB that is not held with the Reserve bank of Australia;
- request payment via unusual methods such as iTunes gift cards, bitcoin or other prepaid cards;
- stay on the phone with you while you go to the bank, post office or shops to make a payment;
- request personal security information such as your TFN or your bank details via email or SMS or social media sites;
- ask you for money up front in order to receive a refund or other payment;
- refuse to allow you to speak with a trusted advisor or your regular tax agent;
- present a phone number on caller ID;
- direct you to download files from the internet.
The ATO will:
- provide you with a range of options for paying debts, which are all set out on the ATO website at ato.gov.au/howtopay;
- contact you by phone:
- if you are in doubt about the authenticity of a call claiming to be from the ATO, you can call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to verify. You will generally be aware of any debt before it is due for payment, but you can check with us first if required;
- send emails and SMS asking you to take specific action such as:
- provide additional information required to process a BAS or tax return lodged;
- provide additional information regarding an application that has been made;
- verify changes to an account.
Here are some practical tips:
- If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from a well-known organisation asking for personal or financial information, hang up immediately and consider contacting the organisation;
- Consider using tools to help protect and secure digital devices from scams, including install an anti-virus software and monitor credit/debit card transactions to ensure there is no unauthorised activity;
- Do not click on any suspicious links sent via text or email even if it states it is from a trusted organisation;
- If you receive a great investment opportunity, promising high returns and minimal fees, there's a good chance this is a scam. We encourage you to have a conversation with an expert before making an investment decision.
If you have any concerns regarding correspondence from the ATO please contact us on 1300 885 761 or contact the ATO directly on 1800 008 540 .
Christmas 2022
You may have heard about the new rules which require directors of Australian companies to obtain a Director Identification Number (director ID). It is a unique 15-digit identifier that directors apply for once and keep forever. The following provides some useful further information. As a director of my SMSF’s corporate trustee do I need a director ID? The new requirement to obtain a director ID applies to all directors of corporate trustees of an SMSF. The only exclusion applies to a director who has resigned from all director roles during the period 04 April 2021 to 30 November 2022 and has no intention to ever be appointed as a director or alternate director of an Australian or foreign company. How long do I have before I need to get my director ID? Individuals that were a director of any company prior to 1 November 2021 have until 30 November 2022 to get a director ID. This transitional period also applies to newly appointed directors of corporate trustees of an SMSF, provided they were an existing director, of a company, before 1 November 2021. Otherwise, first time directors are now required to have a director ID before they are appointed as director of any company. What is the fastest way to apply for a director ID? With 30 November 2022 fast approaching, we strongly encourage all directors to apply for their director ID now. The fastest way to apply for your director ID is online at abrs.gov.au/directorID . To access the director ID application online, you will use your myGovID to log in to ABRS (Australian Business Registry Services) online. This director ID demonstration video will show you step by step, how to apply for your director ID online. What to do if you do not have a MyGovID already? A myGovID is different to your myGov account. Your myGov account allows you to link to and access online services provided by the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare and more, while myGovID is an app that enables you to prove who you are and to log in to a range of government online services, including myGov. If you do not already have a myGovID you will need to set this up before you can apply for your director ID online. Refer to mygovid.gov.au/setup for more information on setting up a myGovID. You will need to choose your identity strength, noting that ‘standard’ identity strength is the minimum strength required for a director ID. What if I can’t set up myGovID online? Where you are experiencing difficulties setting up your myGovID, the ATO encourages you to contact them on 13 62 50. To speed up the phone application, please have your TFN ready as well as the information listed below, required to verify your identity. If you cannot apply online or over the phone, the ATO will provide you with a paper form to complete. This is the least preferred option and will require you to provide certified copies of your documents to verify your identity. Can we help you get your director ID? You must apply for your director ID yourself, so that the ATO can verify your identity. To verify your identity against your ATO records, once you have logged into ABRS online using myGovID, you'll need your tax file number, your residential address held by the ATO, and information from two of the following documents: bank account details (where your tax refunds or payments are made and received) an ATO notice of assessment a dividend statement a Centrelink payment summary a PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement or your PAYG instalment activity statement). How can we help? If you have any questions or would like further information about director IDs, please feel free to give us a call on 1300 885 761, so we can discuss your requirements in more detail. Although we are unable to apply for a director ID on your behalf, we would be more than happy to guide you through the process and where possible, source documents to help you verify your identity with the ATO. For other information, resources, and timely updates relevant to your SMSF, please refer to the SMSF Association’s trustee education platform, SMSF Connect.
All employers are required to pay and report super guarantee payments electronically to ensure they meet SuperStream requirements. With the introduction of SuperStream it is now easier for the ATO to monitor your payments to ensure they have all been paid on time. Super guarantee payments must be made by employers to their employees' complying funds by quarterly due dates, which are 28 days after the end of each quarter. The due dates for each quarter are as follows: