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Fraudulent Emails about Government Stimulus Package and Tax Bonus payment

Be cautious when opening emails claiming to be from the Tax Office or Centrelink

If you receive an email claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or Centrelink, you need to be careful. Fraudulent emails are now circulating, pretending to be from the ATO or Centrelink. These scams are designed to trick you into providing your personal information.

In the wake of the Government's stimulus package and tax bonus payments, scammers are targeting people who may be expecting payments.

If you receive an email asking for personal, credit card or bank details, delete it. Don't reply, open any attachments or click on any links—delete it.

These emails can be disguised as an official communication from the Tax Office or Centrelink but, remember, if in doubt—delete it.

The Tax Office never sends emails asking people to provide personal information, including bank account or credit card details, and you will not be charged fees by the Tax Office to receive the bonus payment.

For more information on the scam, visit the Australian Taxation Office's website.

National E-security Awareness Week 2009

National E-security Awareness Week 2009 will be held from 5 to 12 June to help raise awareness about e-security for home and small business users.

E-security Review 2008

On 3 July 2008 the Australian Government announced a review of its e security policy, programs and capabilities. The Attorney-General's Department led the review with the assistance of other agencies represented on the E security Policy and Coordination Committee.

The 2008 Review made a number of recommendations, including:

  • developing closer relationships between the Commonwealth and the private sector in the area of e-security
  • improving engagement with internet service providers to help create a ‘security culture' among Australian internet users
  • building international partnerships on e-security to promote awareness, marshal expertise, and eliminate safe havens for cyber criminals.

The Attorney-General's Department, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and other E-security National Agenda agencies are working to implement the Review's recommendations. The measures will be contained in a new e–security framework.

  • The E-security Alert Service is a free subscription based service. You can subscribe to the free service through the Stay Smart Online website and receive information on the latest e-security threats, vulnerabilities and advice on how to manage them. We encourage you to sign up to receive this free service to help keep up-to-date and protect your computer.

  • The Small Business Tool can be accessed to help small businesses understand and improve online security practices. We encourage all small businesses, including home based, to use the assessment tool. It takes 10–15 minutes to complete and will provide some easy tips to stay protected when online.

  • Do you have feedback for us? Please let us know what you think of the new resources and the website.