What to do if you receive a suspicious email or text that appears to be from the ATO or myGov

If you receive a suspicious email or text message that appears to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or myGov, it's important to take the following steps to protect yourself from potential scams:

1. Do not respond to the message or click on any links provided. Scammers often use phishing techniques to trick individuals into revealing personal information or accessing fraudulent websites.

2. Call your Accountant. They’ll be able to quickly confirm with you whether it's legitimate or not.

3. Report the message to the ATO by forwarding the email or text message to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au or by contacting the ATO directly on 1800 008 540.

4. If you have clicked on a link or provided any personal information, contact the ATO immediately to report the breach and seek guidance on how to protect your personal information.

5. Delete the message from your inbox or messaging app to prevent accidentally interacting with it in the future.

6. Stay informed about the latest scams by visiting the ATO's website or by signing up for scam alerts from reputable sources such as Scamwatch.

7. Educate yourself on how to recognise scam messages by looking for tell-tale signs such as poor grammar, requests for personal information, and generic greetings such as ‘Dear Customer’ instead of your name.

8. Update your security software and passwords regularly to protect your accounts from unauthorised access.

Remember, the ATO and myGov will never ask for your personal information via email or text message. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a message, it's always better to be safe and contact your accountant, the ATO or myGov directly.