Login
iscover
Share this article on:
Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
Powered by MOMENTUMMEDIA
Australia’s peak accounting body has warned that scammers will kick up their activity in the lead-up to 30 June, using early morning emails to take advantage of the unwary.
As tax season looms, accountants are sharpening their pencils, individuals are hoarding their receipts, and scammers, as always, are poised to take advantage of the time of year.
With that in mind, CPA Australia has issued a warning for tax time regarding some of the tactics to watch out for.
“Scammers take advantage of any situation, and at tax time, that means targeting unsuspecting individuals through unsolicited messages claiming to be the ATO or another reputable organisation,” Jenny Wong, CPA Australia tax lead, said in a 10 June statement.
“These ‘phishing’ scams not only look legitimate, but they’re designed to catch you off-guard. That’s why you’ll often see them arrive first thing in the morning because you may be more likely to have a momentary lapse in judgement.”
Phishing scams have already had a significant impact on losses in 2025, accounting for $13.7 million in the first four months of the year, a sharp rise over $4.6 million lost in the same period last year.
At the same time, the Australian Taxation Office has observed a 300 per cent increase in impersonation scams compared to last year.
One particular scam is an email titled “Urgent new notification in your account inbox” that includes an apparent link to log in to a person’s MyGov account.
“The scammers know Australians will have tax on their mind and are vulnerable to prompts to act, which is why these messages usually create a sense of urgency or claim of significant refund. While they could come at any time, be especially careful opening up and reading messages while you’re still waking up in the morning.
“It’s crucial to see through the lies and review these communications with a clear mind once you’ve started your day and had a coffee or two,” Wong said.
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
Be the first to hear the latest developments in the cyber industry.
