Scammers are taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to target people and businesses in Australia.

We have had a number of concerns voiced by our business clients that since the Jobseeker and Cash Flow Boost subsidy packages have been announced by the Government, they have been receiving unsolicited emails about ‘Covid-19 payments’.

Scammers are hoping that during this stressful time, you let your guard down and click on a suspicious link or share private information. Clicking on a link or opening an attachment may install a virus, spyware of ransomware on your phone, tablet or computer. It could also click through to a website, that may look like an official site, but isn’t and then ask you to input your personal information.

Here are some examples that we know about:

  1. The subject is ‘COVID-19 payment collection adjustment’ and it looks as if it has come from your own HR or finance department. It then says: Please see report for this week’s payment collection updates and then a link to a ‘Shared Docs, granted access’ folder. It also includes your company website in the sign off.
  2. It looks like it has come from an internal source such as finance or HR. The subject is ‘Covid Funding – Capex’. This is followed by an Office 365/ Sharepoint link to say someone has shared a file with you.

On both of these examples, you should just delete the email. Hopefully, they will be caught by your spam filter, however some will fall through the net. Ensure you run the latest software updates to make your operating security systems are working effectively and also regularly update any antivirus software you may have.

The Australian Tax Office has advised that it will communicate with you via SMS and email if you have applied for the JobKeeper payment, or the early release of superannuation. However, if you are in any doubt whether it is genuine or not, do not reply and you can either call the ATO direct to check or call your Taxpro accountant. If we are handling your JobKeeper payments, you will hear from us direct.

Please educate your staff on scam awareness, especially as many are still working from home and it is sometimes difficult to just check with a colleague before opening a suspicious link.

Both the ATO and Scamwatch have comprehensive information on how to identify a scam and how to report it.

ATO identity security

Current Covid-19 Coronavirus scams

If you have any questions about this, please email them through to Chloe admin@taxproaustralia.com.au and one of our Taxpro accountants will be in touch.

Stay safe and protect your business.