One common type of tax scam targeting businesses is the "business email compromise" scam. In this scam, the scammer impersonates a senior management or head office employee and sends an email to their employees asking them to transfer money or provide sensitive information.
Another type of scam that targets businesses is the "ATO impersonation scam." In this scam, the scammer pretends to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and contacts the business, claiming that they owe taxes and threatening legal action if they do not pay immediately.
To protect yourself and your business from tax scams, it is important to be aware of the warning signs and to take steps to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from the ATO or another tax authority. This includes never providing personal information or paying money to someone who contacts you unsolicited, and always verifying the identity of the person through official channels before providing any information or making a payment.
Additionally, it is important for businesses to have strong internal controls in place to protect sensitive information and to train employees on how to identify and report suspicious activity.
In conclusion, Tax scams are prevalent in Australia and businesses need to be vigilant and proactive in protecting themselves from these scams. By being aware of the warning signs, verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be from the ATO or another tax authority, and having strong internal controls in place, businesses can help protect themselves and their customers from tax scams. When in doubt, zoom out and stop contact immediately.
Contact us should you have doubts about any messages or any activity. Call 1300 089 139 or LiveChat with a real person to be sure.
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