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Australian Taxation Office (ATO) refund email

A hand holding five Australian $100 notesThe Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has warned people about a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a refund from the Tax Office.

The email fraudulently uses the Tax Office logo and has the words 'Australian Taxation Office - Please Read This' in the subject line.

The Tax Office is advising people who receive the email that it does not contain any malicious software but to delete it immediately.

The email asks people to click on a link which redirects them to a website that looks similar to the Tax Office website and asks for credit card and personal details.

This website is not affiliated with the Tax Office in any way.

Second Commissioner Greg Farr said the Tax Office has notified relevant authorities who are investigating this matter.

"People should be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Tax Office," he said.

"The Tax Office will never send out emails to taxpayers asking them to provide personal information including credit card details.

"As an extra precaution we recommend you type internet addresses directly into your internet browser rather than clicking on hyperlinks embedded in emails."

Mr Farr said if people have entered their credit card information on the website, they should contact their credit card provider as soon as possible and report a possible compromise.

In 2009 an ATO media release warned consumers to be wary of a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a 30% discount on their taxes.