If you think you are a victim of a tax-related scam, phone us on 1800 008 540 (8.00am–6.00pm, Monday–Friday). You should do this as soon as possible.

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the ATO, do not click on any links, open attachments or respond to the sender. Forward the entire email to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au without changing or adding any additional information and delete from your inbox and sent folder.

If you wish to report a scam outside ATO working hours, you can do so via ScamwatchExternal Link. If you have been impacted by cybercrime you can report this through the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORNExternal Link).

You should also contact your bank or financial institution if you think a scammer has your credit card details.

Hoax websites often look like the real thing.

We will never ask you to transfer money to receive a lump sum payment.

This scam occurs when you are contacted by someone and asked to transfer money into a bank account in order to receive a lump sum payment. The person asking claims to be our employee.

You are given a phone number by the scammer to track the progress of your claim. The phone number is usually an Australian number. Upon calling this number, you are told by the scammer that they have called us and we are assisting with the payment process.

When no money is transferred into your account, you are then told by the scammer, who is fraudulently claiming to be our employee, that more money is required to receive the payment.

Online fraud is the jurisdiction of the state or territory police if the victim is a not a Commonwealth Government department or a Commonwealth Authority.

The Australian Federal Police investigates frauds committed against a Commonwealth Government department or a Commonwealth Authority.

In general, state or territory police jurisdiction exists: