ATO Alerts Citizens to Tax-Themed Fake E-Mails

The ATO (Australian Taxation Office) is once again urging people for remaining watchful of tax-themed phishing electronic mails, as October 31, 2011 the last date to file returns draws close. Computerworld.com.au published this on September 16, 2011.

Actually, ATO outlines that the scam electronic mails carry headers like "Australian Taxation Office New Rules" and "Attention for the Australian Business Number (ABN) owners."

The text of the fraud electronic mails states that the ATO in conjunction with Australian Business Register wishes for notifying the recipient that from 1st January 2012, fresh rules will be introduced in connection with the utilization of Australian Business Number. Additional facts related to the upcoming alterations within the rules maybe seen in detail in a given web-link, the message adds.

Meanwhile, according to ATO, the origin of the e-mail seems to be one lawful domain, abr.gov.au.

But, clicking on the web-link diverts the e-mail reader onto a fake site, which supports malware. Essentially, this site deceives visitors into pulling down as well as loading the malware. And when loaded, the malware garners private details and passwords of the victim from his hijacked PC as also transmit the same to remote hackers, ATO cautions.

Moreover, all the fraud e-mail versions detected hitherto contain the key note within a .txt file given as an attachment while having HTML code.

ATO confirms that these e-mails aren't theirs, but belong to a scam.

And as the above kinds of scams are so malicious, ATO highlights on its authorized Internet site a few security suggestions. These are: first users must make sure they're running updated security software on their computers, including anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall solutions that will safeguard their PCs against malevolent programs. Secondly, any user finding the above mentioned scam e-mail must avoid following its implanted web-link followed with deleting the message entirely.

Meanwhile, tax-related bogus e-mails targeting ATO isn't something new. During June 2011, the tax authority alerted consumers and business of one phishing e-mail, which displayed the caption "Australian Taxation Office and your tax return," while asked recipients to provide personal information online towards claiming an alleged reimbursement.

Related article: AT&T Website Faces Hackers’ Axe

» SPAMfighter News - 9/26/2011