Scam Alert: Phishing scams impersonating the ATO and myGov

We’ve been alerted to a scam involving phishing emails and SMS messages that impersonate the ATO and myGov.

These scam messages often claim that you need to verify your identity, that you’re entitled to a refund but must update your details, or that you owe money and need to make an urgent payment.

Common red flags include:

• Urgent or threatening language (e.g. “pay immediately” or “your account will be suspended”)
• Requests to click on links to log in or update personal details
• Messages asking for sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or verification codes
• Unexpected notifications about refunds or debts you weren’t aware of
• Sender details that look unusual, unofficial, or contain spelling errors
• Links that don’t clearly match official ATO or myGov website addresses

These messages often include links to fake websites designed to steal your personal information.

To stay safe, always access your myGov or bank account by typing the official website address into your browser or using the official app – never via links in messages.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t engage with the message and report it to Scamwatch.