This is a conventional password phishing scam, but with a twist. Instead of pretending to come from a bank or credit card company, this one claims to be from the Australian government and it promises you a tax refund. (Hmm, maybe the fact that you don’t live in Australia should make you suspicious.)
If you click the link, which we have deactivated here, you will be asked to fill in personal information, such as passwords and account numbers, which the scammers will then use to pick your pocket.
from: ATO (service@ato.gov.au)
date: Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM
subject: Australian Tax Refund AgencyAfter the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $210.75 AUD . Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please click here [link deactivated]
Regards,
Australian Taxation Office
© Copyright 2009, Australian Taxation Office AU
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