ATO Warns Community: Do Not Engage in GST Fraud

The ATO recently announced that it has identified and intends to respond seriously to reports of significant fraud involving participants inventing fake businesses to claim false refunds.

The ATO is reminding the community that:

• The ATO does not offer loans. If you see someone advertising a way to get a loan from the ATO, this is a rort.

• The ATO does not administer government disaster payments.

• If you are not in business, you do not need an ABN.

• You should never share your myGov login details. You may be giving your identity directly to criminals who can use it to impersonate you, or sell it to other criminals.

• Backdating when a fake business is set up to seek a refund will flag you as high risk and we will take action.

• False declarations may impact eligibility for other government payments.

• We have the data matching ability to detect these patterns and stop the fraud.

• Stealing from the ATO is not a victimless crime, you are stealing from people in need of government support and people using public services such as schools and hospitals.

• The ATO shares information with a range of government partners when responding to fraud, including law enforcement agencies.

• If you engage in tax fraud, you will be caught.

Want to learn more and about how to protect yourself? Read more at the ATO here.