The Tax Office is warning people to be wary of a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a 30% discount on their taxes.
The email uses the Tax Office logo and the words ‘Cut Off Taxes Program (COTP) has been released – Join Now’ in the subject heading and the following text:
Cut Off Taxes Program
30% Discount for your 2009 taxes
Register now for the Cut Off Taxes Program (COTP).
This means you could get 30% back from all your 2009 taxes.
There may be more variations to this subject heading and text.
The email asks people to click on a link which directs them to a bogus Tax Office website and asks them to register for the program by supplying their tax file number.
Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said anyone who receives the email should delete it immediately.
“The Tax Office never sends emails asking people to provide personal information including tax file numbers,” Mr D’Ascenzo said.
“People should always be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Tax Office.
“As an extra precaution we recommend you type internet addresses directly into your internet browser rather than clicking on links embedded in emails.”
These websites are often set up in multiple jurisdictions making them difficult to trace and to effectively shut them down.
If people have entered their tax file number or personal information on the website they should contact us immediately on 13 28 61.
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Article by Christie Lewis
Christie is Practice Manager at Alan Lewis Accountants . Besides accounting, her passion is for all things small business (and blogging, of course). You can contact Christie directly at christie@lewistaxation.com.au.
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