Australians are being urged to remain vigilant in the lead-up to tax time as new and "aggressive" scams emerge claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
It's no secret hackers are targetting hard-working Aussies at unprecedented levels, with the ATO revealing they've received over 20,000 reports of tax scams in the 2022-23 financial year - an average of approximately 360 reports per month.
The ATO said people should expect a further spike in tax-related scams in the lead-up to June 30, with the more vulnerable members of society expected to be particularly targeted.
"At this time of year, criminals are thinking about how to get your tax returns," National Australia Bank's scam awareness lead Tessa Bowles said.
"Current cost-of-living pressures mean tax returns will be front of mind for many Australians hoping for a refund, and no one ever wants to lose their hard-earned money to criminals.
"That's why being alert to the issue is so important.
"These scams often involve criminals claiming you need to pay a processing fee or provide your personal details to have your tax refund released.
"Scammers may also try to trick people into thinking they owe a tax debt and must pay to avoid being arrested."
Text messages and email are the most-used contact methods scammers use when imitating the ATO, with phony calls also common.
"The number of phone calls impersonating the ATO in June last year was double the monthly average," Bowles said.
"These phone calls can often be quite aggressive and threatening, but it's important to remember the ATO will never threaten anyone with immediate arrest.
"Never feel pressured into making a payment and contact your bank immediately if you think you've been scammed."
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