I got a text the other day “Hi Mum, I have broken my phone and I
am using this number.” The “Hi Mum” scam has exploded with more than 1,150 Australians falling victim to the ploy in the first seven
months of 2022, with total reported losses of $2.6 million.
Once the scammer establishes contact, they start requesting money for an urgent bill or a replacement phone
etc. For those with children or dependant family members, it is not that hard to believe. According to the Australian Consumer and
Competition Commission (ACCC), two-thirds of family impersonation scams were reported by women over 55 years of age.
Another common scam is the lost or unable to deliver package texts and voicemail. With Christmas just around the corner, we can expect to
see another escalation of this scam where tracking links purportedly from Australia Post, Toll, or Amazon etc., are used to instal malware.
Once accessed, the malware will access your contacts and spread the malware and potentially access your personal information and bank
details.
In July, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) reported a new wave of ‘Tax refund SMSF scams’. The texts purported to be from the ATO
stating that the individual had a tax refund and to click on the link and complete the form.
Another scam purporting to be from the ATO advised that the recipient was suspected of being involved in cryptocurrency tax evasion and
requested that they connect their wallet. At which point the wallet was accessed and any assets stolen.
The ACCC’s
Targeting Scams
report
states that in 2021, nearly $1.8bn in losses were reported but the real figure is likely to be well over $2bn. The largest combined losses
in 2021 were:
A recent case before the AAT demonstrates how fine the dividing line is between GST-free and taxable foods.
When it comes to financing your new car it’s possible to use either a low-doc car loan or a full-doc car loan.
A well-thought-out plan is the first step toward executing a cost-effective renovation.
Treasury has released draft legislation for consultation to enact the Government’s plan to increase tax rate superannuation balances above $3m from 15% to 30% from 1 July 2025.
Australian properties from overseas property seekers have risen 11.5 percent in the past three months. Meanwhile, rent searches are up 7.8 percent from the same demographic.
“Wage-theft” is illegal in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria under State laws.
The statistics on employer superannuation guarantee (SG) compliance look pretty good with over $71 billion, collected without intervention from the regulators in 2020-21.
A bridging loan allows you to acquire your next property before selling your current one, streamlining the transition between homes.
With inflation remaining high, interest rates are likely to stay at elevated levels for some time.
A crucial lesson for all budding startups is that maintaining a healthy cash flow is a pivotal factor in ensuring the long-term survival of your business.
Accountants play a crucial role in providing expertise and guidance to businesses during their startup and initial growth stages.
Aged care financial advice involves addressing a range of complex and unique issues that necessitate careful consideration.
Your credit score is an important factor that all lenders use to decide if they are prepared to lend to you.
As your business grows and evolves, your financial needs change too. Here are five signs that it might be time to consider upgrading to a larger, more specialised accounting firm.
Paying off your home loan reduces your mortgage debt and increases the equity you have in your property.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may be nearing the end of its interest rate hiking cycle, but the Australian economy is already feeling the effects.
The recent rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) have understandably put borrowers under pressure.
Property investors that choose to utilise their property for short-term stays (or leave it vacant) are firmly in the sights of the regulators.
According to CoreLogic, the jump in prices marks the eighth consecutive month of growth which has also seen values increase 2.2% over the quarter.
Treasury has released draft legislation to enact the Government’s plan to increase the tax rate on superannuation balances above $3m.
Before investing in a new truck or equipment, make sure you understand the fleet requirements of your major clients and any potential future partners.
As your business expands, the need for a specialised and strategic business accountant who can provide ongoing advice and guidance becomes increasingly evident.
The Australian Taxation Office have released a new draft ruling on self-education expenses.
With both domestic and international travel showing improvements, investment levels in hotel assets across the country has increased.
Electricity is the new black. Gas and other fossil fuels are out. A new, limited incentive nudges business towards energy efficiency.
In the wake of COVID-19, Australian offices have undergone a significant shift – and things aren’t likely to change anytime soon.
New listings have risen by 13.2% through the winter season, driven by a 17.9% rise across the capital cities.
ONLINE WEBINAR
28 September 2023 // 12:30 - 1:30p.m.
In today's ever-changing economic landscape, facing redundancy can be daunting, impacting both your financial and emotional well-being. This
webinar is tailored to address these concerns, offering practical insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of redundancy and
secure your financial future.
Spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a better outcome. In many instances, focusing on the basics can make a big impact and make your home more appealing.
Buyers need to realise that sales agents are there working for the vendor. It’s important that new buyers know how to effectively negotiate with real estate agents.
When purchasing a new car, you’re going to be faced with various financing options for buying the vehicle.
Investment markets have shown a lot of enthusiasm for AI and Chat GPT technology. AI productivity gains could boost economic growth and
share market performance across the world.
A global agreement on halting and reversing biodiversity loss could benefit investors as well as the planet. Here’s what a heightened focus on bio- diversity could mean for your investment portfolio.
1.3 million home loans are expected to move from low fixed rates to high variable rates in 2023 and 2024, with the peak to hit in the second half of this year.
An increasing number of older Australians are starting their own businesses – using their consider- able expertise to create value for their customers and the economy.
The release of resilient economic data and sticky inflation readings indicated that official interest rates might need to be raised further in key regions, or at least remain high for longer than was previously anticipated.
The launch of ChatGPT late last year was greeted with a frenzy of enthusiasm as investors eyed the potential for productivity gains and innovation. We look beneath the hype and consider the implications for your investment portfolio.
Unlike traditional loans, invoice financing offers another way. Borrowing against your invoices means that you can gain access to the money you are owed immediately.
The commercial property market in regional Queensland is experiencing a surge of interest from Melbourne investors, as the state's booming population continues to grow.
What will the Australian community look like in 40 years? We look at the key takeaways from the Intergenerational Report.
As businesses continue trying to woo workers back to the office, demand for high-quality office space continues rising.
A recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) is a reminder about the tax impact of the timing of employment income.
The proposed objective of superannuation released in recently released draft legislation is: ‘to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.’
The TikTok tax fraud is extensive and has several layers of impact across the 56,000 taxpayers caught up in it.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.
.png)
