Tax fraud, evasion and crime is not victimless, it’s a serious offence that takes money away from the community and away from essential services like health and education. The ATO has called on the public not to get involved in such activities and has asked those involved in GST fraud to cooperate with the authorities or face tough actions from the agency.
The attempted fraud involves an individual:
- Inventing a fake business.
- Lodging a fraudulent ABN application.
- Submitting fictitious BAS statements to attempt to gain a false GST refund.
The fraudulent activity has been circulating as online advertising and content, particularly on social media. We are working with digital platforms to shut down this advertising.
Employers can also warn new employees to beware of Tax File Number (TFN) application scams designed to steal their personal information. The fake TFN and ABN services are often advertised on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The advertisements offer to obtain a TFN or ABN for a fee. Instead of delivering this service, the scammer uses these fraudulent websites to steal both money and personal information
The ATO Are Reminding the Community That:
- The ATO does not offer loans. If you see someone advertising a way to get a loan from the ATO, it’s not legitimate.
- The ATO does not administer COVID disaster payments.
- If you are not operating a business, you do not need an ABN, and you don’t need to lodge a GST return.
- Backdating your business registration so you can apply for a refund will flag you as high risk in our systems.
- False declarations may impact eligibility for other government payments.
- We have the data matching ability to detect these patterns and stop the fraud.
If something seems too good to be true, seek independent advice from an adviser who has no connection to the arrangement before taking any action, or the ATO.
What To Do if You Are Involved
If you become involved in this arrangement, talk to the ATO now. The ATO may be able to support you with a range of self-help options. You may be able to correct it yourself, the ATO may be able to assist you, or they may refer you to a trusted advisor like a Tax Agent to help you.
The ATO are urging anyone already involved to come forward now on a voluntary basis rather than face tougher consequences later.
The ATO will be recouping the funds, and there will be a better outcome for you if you go to the ATO first. You can the ATO on 1300 130 017. Registering for an ABN and applying for GST refunds when you don’t own a business or are not eligible is fraud.
Correct it Yourself
You may be able to correct this yourself. You will need to follow the steps in this order:
- Revise your activity statement
- Cancel your ABN
- Cancel your GST registration
- Set up a payment arrangement
If you need assistance, phone the ATO on 1300 130 017
If You Think Your Identity Has Been Compromised
The ATO has seen an increase in attempts by criminals to commit refund fraud by stealing the identities of taxpayers which has coincided with an increased reliance on technology and remote working practices. Having your identity compromised can have devastating financial consequences.
If you think you’ve become involved in this arrangement because your identity was compromised, phone the ATO as they will need to put additional controls on your account.
The ATO take all reports of tax crime seriously. If you have any information to share, you can make a tip off. Reports can be made anonymously.
For more information, read the media release. Source: ATO – GST refund fraud attempts
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) – Act Now, Stay Secure
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware). When it gets into your device, it makes your computer or its files unusable.
Cybercriminals use ransomware to deny you access to your files or devices. They then demand you pay them to get back your access.
How Does It Work?
Ransomware works by locking up or encrypting your files so that you can no longer use or access them. Sometimes it can even stop your devices from working.
The Effects of Ransomware
Ransomware is a common and dangerous type of malware. It can affect both individuals and organisations. Ransomware can cause severe damage. It can hurt your reputation and cost you money.
What to Look For
Ransomware can infect your devices in the same way as other malware or a virus. For example:
- Visiting unsafe or suspicious websites
- Opening emails or files from unknown sources
- Clicking on malicious links in email or on social media.
Common signs you may be a victim of ransomware include:
- Pop-up messages requesting funds or payment to unlock files.
- You cannot access your devices, or your login doesn’t work for unknown reasons.
- Files request a password or a code to open or access them.
- Files have moved or are not in their usual folders or locations.
- Files have unusual file extensions, or their names or icons have changed to something strange.
If any of these things happen to you, check with your friends and colleagues first to see if they made any changes.
ACSC Advice
ACSC recommend you do not pay the ransom. There is no guarantee paying the ransom will fix your devices. It can also make you vulnerable to future attacks. Instead, restore your files from backup and seek advice. For this reason, it is vital to back up your data and put effective cyber security practices in place. Source: Ransomware | Cyber.gov.au
ACSC’s Learning Resources
Individuals and business can learn how to protect their important information and data against ransomware by using our easy-to-follow guides, including:
- Ransomware Emergency Response Guide
- Ransomware Prevention and Protection Guide
- Ransomware Action Checklist
- Cyber Security Emergency Response Plan
- Ransomware Quiz
– Team BKSP
