ATO scams – a case study
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Introduction
Threat-based impersonation scams are on the rise. Many organisations, such as the ATO are especially vulnerable to impersonation scams. This activity uses ATO scams as a case study to demonstrate the risk that impersonation scams pose to students’ identity and financial security and what they might do to prevent becoming victims of impersonation scams.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 9, students explain the role of the Australian economy in allocating and distributing resources, and analyse the interdependence of participants in the global economy. They explain the importance of managing financial risks and rewards and analyse the different strategies that may be used. They explain why businesses seek to create a competitive advantage, including through innovation, and evaluate the strategies that may be used. Students analyse the roles and responsibilities of participants in the workplace.
When researching, students develop questions and simple hypotheses to frame an investigation of an economic or business issue. They gather and analyse relevant data and information from different sources to answer questions, identify trends and explain relationships. Students generate alternative responses to an issue and use cost-benefit analysis and appropriate criteria to propose a course of action. They apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts to familiar, unfamiliar and hypothetical problems. Students develop and present evidence-based conclusions and reasoned arguments using appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts. They analyse the effects of economic and business decisions and the potential consequences of alternative actions.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
Why and how people manage financial risks and rewards in the current Australian and global financial landscape (ACHEK040).
Economics and Business Skills
Analyse data and information in different formats to explain cause-and-effect relationships, make predictions and illustrate alternative perspectives (ACHES045).
Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar, new and hypothetical situations (ACHES047).
Present reasoned arguments and evidence-based conclusions in a range of appropriate formats using economics and business conventions, language and concepts (ACHES048).
Teacher resources
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Be aware of what you share
Student learning resources
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Be aware of what you share
ATO scams
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Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group. If you assign this activity to a class, your students will be assigned all student resources on their 'My learning' page. You can also hand-pick the resources students are assigned by selecting individual resources when you add a work item to a class in 'My classes'.
- Play: Be aware of what you share. This video is about how to identify illegitimate requests for information. As the video is being played, students complete the video viewing guide.
- Brainstorm a list of government departments, organisations or corporations that have legitimacy and people are likely to trust. Examples include Centrelink, ATO and banks.
- Discuss why organisations like these are prone to impersonation scams.
- Students complete part 1 and 2 of the worksheet.
- Invite students to identify other impersonation scams they have heard about.
- Conduct a class discussion on impersonation scams. Possible discussion points and responses include the following.
- What information could a scammer impersonating the ATO obtain from a phone call with a victim? Examples include name, TFN, driver’s licence details, Medicare number, mobile phone number, online banking details.
- What steps could you take to prevent being scammed by people impersonating trusted organisations such as the ATO?
- What are some of the short- and long-term personal consequences of falling victim to a scam or providing personal identifying information? For example:
- financial loss
- scammers can take out loans in your name which may impact your credit rating, limiting your ability to gain a credit card, personal loan or mortgage
- scammers can start fraudulent businesses in your name impacting your ability to be a business owner in the future
- emotional trauma
- impacts on your ability to gain access to government services or welfare
- use of sensitive private information or images to blackmail or coerce you
- theft of your superannuation.
- Who should you give your personal information to and in what circumstances? For example, you can give your details including your TFN to your employer but only once you have commenced work and only on the legitimate TFN declaration form. Never quote your TFN or personal information like driver’s licence in a job application.
- Students complete part 3 of the worksheet.
- Invite students to share their information texts with the class.