Carbon tax scam hits businesses

Posers promise compensation.

Businesses are being targeted by scammers posing as government carbon tax officials looking to rort companies of cash by offering carbon tax ‘credits’ or compensation.

The Australian Government’s SCAMwatch website is warning businesses and consumers not to hand over personal banking details to anyone offering carbon tax compensation.

Scammers are targeting victims via phone calls as well as fake websites, posing as official Australian Government websites, to offer fake credits. 

SCAMwatch advises businesses to reduce their vulnerability to such scams by limiting the amount of staff authorised to make orders or pay invoices.

It said the Australian Government never requires bank details over the phone and does not pay any form of compensation via wire. It advises businesses to be wary of calls asking for personal, business or financial details in order to access funds. 

It also advises potential victims not to enter financial details on a website unless sure of its security and authenticity.

“Legitimate websites which ask you to enter sensitive personal or business details are commonly encrypted to protect your details,” it stated. “This is usually identified by the use of “https:” rather than “http:” at the start of the internet address.”

“This can also be identified by a closed or unbroken key or padlock icon at the bottom right corner of your browser window. If the ‘s’ is missing or there is an open padlock or broken key icon, your information may not be secure and the website could be a scam site.”

Scams can be reported to the ACCC via the report a scam webpage or by calling 1300 795 995.