The ATO cautioned people against giving any information in response to such a request, because the scammers could use it to access bank accounts, take out loans, lodge false tax returns or claim Centrelink or other benefits in your name.
The tax department said it would never threaten anyone with immediate arrest, ask a person to pay money in order to receive a refund, ask for your tax file number or credit card details by email or text message, tell you to download files or open attachments via email or ask anyone to pay a debt via iTunes vouchers or pre-paid store or gift cards.
It urged anyone who received such a communication or such a request to forward the email to reportemailfraud@ato.gov.au or, if you receive it outside office, to contact Scamwatch.
“Do not click on any links, open attachments or respond to the sender,” the ATO said.
This article first published on Starts at 60.