Beware of phishing scam email from "ATO"

Dec 20, 2012

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have issued a warning of a new phishing scam: 'Tax Agent Report - Delayed Tax Returns' email which contains malware.  Do not open this email as it is not from the ATO.

This week, the ATO became aware that the email address that they have been using since July 2012 to send out 'Tax Agent Report - Delayed Tax Returns' emails has been used in a scam.

The scam email appears to be from an @ato.gov.au email address and displays as being sent from:

If you have received any emails from this source:

  • do not open the attachment
  • delete the email immediately.

The ATO understands that this scam email has been sent out widely and some of tax agents, their clients and friends may have also received it.

The ATO have shut down the email address and are investigating the scam.

More information

For more information on how to stay safe online and about the current scam, refer to the Online security page on the ATO's website, which includes a scan of the email for your reference.

Tags: Accountant SydneyChartered Accountant

Author: Mr Taxman

Comments

Post a New Comment

comments-rhsLatest Comments

  • "Yes you show the km allowance as taxable income and then you can also make a claim for your car travel. Under the cents per kilometre method you are limited to the first 5000km. So if you get..."

    By: Mr Taxman at Jun 04, 2025 11:57PM

    Post: Claiming car expenses

  • "No would not be able to claim the Uber home nor to the station the next day. The trip to the off-sit meeting would be claimable."

    By: Mr Taxman at Jun 04, 2025 11:55PM

    Post: Claiming car expenses

  • "Depends on your finance type ... if you takeout a lease then the lease payment forms part of your costs (but no depreciation can be claimed) ... if you takeout a Hire Purchase or a Loan then only the..."

    By: Mr Taxman at Jun 04, 2025 11:54PM

    Post: Claiming car expenses

  • "The cost of the trailer itself could be depreciated - usually over 8 years. Assuming no personal usage with it then 100% of that depreciation plus annual rego could be claimed."

    By: Mr Taxman at Jun 04, 2025 11:50PM

    Post: Claiming car expenses

  • "That would be a non-deductible trip unfortunately Erin"

    By: Mr Taxman at Jun 04, 2025 11:48PM

    Post: Claiming car expenses