Scammers prey on JobKeeper applicants

The scammers calling members of the public pretend they need their bank account details to deposit the JobKeeper wage subsidy. However, the ATO has confirmed this is most definitely a scam.

“We're receiving reports of scammers pretending to be from the ATO calling members of the public and asking them to provide their bank account details,” the Tax Office said.

“They are telling them that their employer has registered them for the JobKeeper Payment, but that the ATO needs their bank account details to deposit the funds into their account.”

It advised the public not to provide the information requested.

“Employees that are eligible for JobKeeper payments will be paid by their employer and the ATO will reimburse their employer for these payments,” it said.

“The ATO does not need the bank account details of individual employees.”

Individuals are encouraged to hang up the phone if they’re unsure an ATO call is legitimate and call the Tax Office on 1800 008 540 to check.

“Scammers are constantly developing new ways to steal from the community, and will often try to take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable,” the ATO cautioned.

Late last week, Scamwatch reported it has received over 2,000 coronavirus-related scam reports with over $700,000 in reported losses since the outbreak of COVID-19.