The ATO has announced that it will be contacting clients via SMS if incorrect bank details were included in their tax return and they are entitled to a refund.
The SMS will state that their the refund cannot be processed due to incorrect bank details provided and that they are required to contact the ATO by telephone to provide these details within 7 days. If the details are not provided within this timeframe the refund will be released via cheque.
Clients should be vigilant and ensure that they are only providing their details to the ATO and not to potential scammers that may see this as an opportunity. Clients should remember:
> The ATO will not ask clients to SMS or email their details
> If you are wary of the phone number provided, please call the ATO on one of the numbers listed on their website: ATO phone numbers
> If you are still not sure that the SMS is legitimate, please don't hesitate to contact us
