Beware scammers pretending to be from ATO

Sophisticated scammers are ringing or emailing people claiming to represent the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and offering refunds for anyone who will transfer cash to a charity.

South Australia's Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago says people should beware such calls from people who often have detailed knowledge of their victim's personal details.

"The Australian Taxation Office does not ring people to say they have unclaimed tax refunds waiting to be collected," the minister said in a statement on Tuesday.

"And the ATO certainly does not ask people to transfer cash before their refund will be paid."

Gago said some people get a call, allegedly from the ATO, telling them they will get a big refund if they transfer about $150 to an Indian orphanage or other charity.

"The scammers sometimes quote personal information such as address and date of birth during the conversation to show authenticity and often have several private contact numbers for the individual," she said.

Other scammers claiming to be from the ATO's grants department tell consumers they will get a cheque for $5200, hand delivered the next day if they confirm their address and make a phone call to transfer $99 to India.

"The best way for consumers to protect themselves from scammers is to hang up," Gago said.

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