ATO Impersonation Scams Rise 300% As Tax Season Starts In Australia
Bitdefender, July 4,2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is now accepting tax returns for the 2024-25 financial year. While you can lodge your return from July 1, the ATO actually recommends holding off until late July.
That's when most of your income and interest details from employers, banks, and government agencies are prefilled, making it easier to file accurately. The best time to lodge is usually between mid-July and mid-August to avoid delays and reduce mistakes.
But as millions of Australians prepare their returns, scammers are already hard at work, flooding inboxes and phones with fake ATO or another reputable organisation messages. According to the ATO, impersonation email scams have surged by more than 300% compared to this time last year.