ATO scams – a case study
Access denied
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 Australia’s financial sector and its effect on economic decision-making by individuals and businesses. They explain the interdependence of participants in the global market and the effect on economic decision-making. They explain the reasons for trade and Australia’s pattern of trade with Asia. They explain why businesses seek to create and maintain a competitive advantage. Students explain how individuals and businesses manage consumer and financial risks and rewards.
Students develop and modify questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and analyse information and data from a range of sources. They interpret and analyse information and data to explain economic trends and cause-and-effect relationships, and identify consumer and financial impacts. They develop a response to an economic and business issue, taking account of economic, business or financial factors. They evaluate a response using criteria and make decisions about how it is to be implemented. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and arguments that acknowledge research findings.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
How individuals and businesses manage consumer and financial risks and rewards. (AC9HE9K05)
Economics and Business Skills
Develop and modify questions to investigate a contemporary economic and business issue. (AC9HE9S01)
Locate, select and analyse information and data from a range of sources. (AC9HE9S02)
Interpret information and data, explaining economic and business issues, trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships, and make predictions about consumer and financial impacts. (AC9HE9S03)
Create descriptions, explanations and arguments, using economic and business knowledge, concepts and terms that incorporate and acknowledge research findings. (AC9HE9S05)
Teacher resources
In order to see the resources you must Register or Login if you already have an account.
Be aware of what you share
Student learning resources
In order to see the resources you must Register or Login if you already have an account.
Be aware of what you share
ATO scams
Other resources you might like
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.