ATO's cyber safety checklist

Scammers never seem to rest, with even the lastest JobKeeper iteration coming in for some scam treatment. In a new update the ATO reports that it is receiving reports of email scams about JobKeeper and backing business investment claims. “The fake emails say we’re investigating your claims. They ask you to provide valuable personal information, including copies of your driver’s licence and Medicare card.”

During this time of heightened scam activity, the ATO is encouraging individuals and businesses to:

■ Use multi-factor authentication where possible and don’t share your password with anyone

■ Run the latest software updates to ensure operating systems security is current

■ Secure your private wi-fi network with passwords (not the default password) and do not make financial transactions when using public wi-fi networks

■ Exercise caution when clicking on links and providing personal identifying information

■ Only access online government services via an independent search – not via emails or SMS

■ If in doubt, call the ATO on an independently sourced number to verify an interaction

■ Educate your staff on cyber safety and scams.

To report a data breach or scam visit ato.gov.au/onlinesecurity