WEST Australians have been warned against potential tax scams, which Consumer Protection says are prevalent in the months before and after the end of the financial year.
Consumer Protection commissioner David Hillyard said the majority of tax scam reports are received between April and September.
“It’s a time when people are thinking about their tax returns or have just submitted them so they think it would not be unusual to get a call from the ATO,” he said.
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READ NOW“However, the tax office doesn’t make threatening phone calls so treat these types of calls with suspicion and don’t be intimidated into action.”
Tangney MHR Ben told Community News he had several constituents receive calls from people under the guise of the ‘Do Not Call Register’.
He said the callers eventually seek credit card information.
“The only thing to do with unsolicited calls is never give out any personal details,” Mr Morton said.
“By all means ask for the caller’s name, company and phone number but before calling them back, check on the scam warning website.”
Information and advice on scams can be found at www.scamnet.wa.gov.au.
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