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Warning over fake ATO text offering people thousands of dollars

A warning has been issued over a sophisticated scam text message offering recipients a tax refund.

“You are due to receive an ATO direct refund of $2675.61,” the text reads.

“Visit www.ato.direct and logon with your phone number **** and ATO PIN: **** to claim.”

A text message pretending to be from the ATO. It informs the recipient they have a tax refund to claim and to visit a scam website called ato.direct.
Police are warning people not to follow the links in this text message. Source: NSW Police

The link tells the recipient it is a “new system” used by the ATO to hand out a refund and is “very straightforward”.

“It has been designed and personalised to prevent third parties from claiming your refunds,” the scam claims.

A link on the website ato.direct. Police are warning this is a scam website from a text which is in circulating. It informs recipients they have received a refund.
Ato.direct's site which asks people to put in their phone number and a PIN number. It's a scam. Source: NSW Police

NSW Police are now telling anyone who received the text to delete it immediately and to not click on any links in the message.

Anyone who does click on the links is being advised to file a report with Australian Cyber Security Centre or call the police assistance line on 131 444.

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