Tax scams increase as 2025 tax time approaches

Tax time scams on the rise in 2025, with cybercriminals using new AI tactics to deceive Australians.

Every year, many hope for a reduction in scams targeting Australians, yet 2025 appears no different.

Jacqueline Jane, host of Ticker Clicks, explores how tax time presents opportunities for scammers, who aim to steal money, identities, and tax file numbers.

They impersonate various entities to deceive victims. Common scams include fake emails and SMS from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or myGov, along with threatening phone calls about possible arrests for unpaid debts.

In April 2025, Australians reported over 6,000 ATO impersonation scams, with seniors being the most vulnerable.

Email remains the primary communication method for scammers, accounting for more than 96% of reported scams.

This year, scammers have advanced their tactics using AI, creating more convincing emails and deepfake voice calls.