this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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Millions of dollars lost in ATO myGov scams that 'rattle confidence' in the tax system (www.abc.net.au)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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The inspector-general of taxation is investigating the theft and hijacking of personal information that has allowed millions of dollars of tax fraud by professional scammers.

...

The inspector-general of taxation believes millions of dollars is being lost through fraudulent access to myGov ATO accounts
Once inside the account, scammers redirect tax refunds to their own bank accounts, sometimes creating bogus claims

...

"It does rattle confidence in the tax system," Ms Payne told the ABC's AM program.

"How many of those tax debts have been created because people have fraudulently accessed people's personal details to claim refunds they're not entitled to?

"How has somebody been able to infiltrate the tax system?"

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:

The inspector-general of taxation is investigating the theft and hijacking of personal information that has allowed millions of dollars of tax fraud by professional scammers.

Karen Payne — whose agency probes complaints about the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) — has raised concerns that criminals have been using stolen identities to infiltrate the tax system to change details and then illegally claim refunds belonging to another taxpayer.

In many cases, the fraudsters generate bogus refund claims, leaving their victims with tax debts that then need to be explained to the ATO.

Ms Payne says scammers have been able to reap windfall refunds as part of a criminal bonanza by conning victims via texts, emails, phone calls and even traditional snail mail.

The ATO has agreed to meet with Ms Payne in early 2024 to provide a briefing on the extent of the tax identity fraud where complaints have not been resolved.

Taxpayers who suspect they are victims of tax identity fraud should call 1800 467 033 and a complaint can be lodged with the ATO.

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