Working for yourself and freelance comes with freedom, but also with a few risks. One of the biggest? Scammers trying to get their hands on your personal or financial information. From fake ATO emails to dodgy payment requests, the creative and freelance community can be an easy target if you don’t stay alert.

Around Tax time people are asking questions, seeking help, contacting accountants… Which leaves room for communication scams. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has shared simple steps to help you keep your details safe, and we’ve tailored them here for freelancers and creatives like you.

The ATO have warned of a “Account Takeover”

Account takeover is a growing cyber threat where criminals hijack legitimate email accounts to request sensitive data or payments. Unlike fake emails, these attacks are harder to spot and highly convincing. A recent report found that 58% of surveyed companies had faced ATO incidents, with most starting through phishing emails. Nearly half of cybersecurity leaders list it as a top concern, making it essential for businesses and freelancers to understand how to detect and prevent these attacks.

Why You Need to Be Alert

Scammers often try to steal:

• Your Tax File Number (TFN)
• myGov login details
• Banking or superannuation info
• Even your identity itself

Once they have this, they can commit refund fraud, drain your super, or sell your details to others. For anyone juggling invoices, clients, and contracts, that’s a nightmare you don’t want to face.

The Golden Rule: Stop. Check. Protect.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recommends a simple approach:

• Stop – Never share your TFN, myGov login, or passwords unless you’re absolutely sure who’s asking and why they need it.
• Check – Be alert to red flags like urgent language, links, or QR codes. Always confirm if a message is genuinely from the ATO, myGov, or a trusted source.
• Protect – Use strong, unique passphrases, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), keep your software updated, and store sensitive files securely.

Read the ATO ScamSafe article here: https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/protect-your-information/how-to-stay-scam-safe

What the ATO Will Never Do

The ATO won’t send you unexpected emails, texts, or social media messages asking for personal details, logins, or payments via links. If you get one of these, it’s a scam… Every time.

If Something Feels Off

Received a suspicious call, text, or email? Don’t click, don’t reply. Instead, verify using the ATO’s official contact channels (call 1800 008 540 or check their scam reporting page).

If you think your TFN or personal info has been compromised, contact the ATO straight away so they can lock down your account.

Freelancers & Creatives: Extra Tips

• Keep an eye on your financial accounts for unusual activity, especially during tax time.
• Use separate email and banking accounts for business and personal life.
• Stick to trusted platforms for invoices and payments.
• Back up important documents regularly.
  

At Artisan, we take your security seriously. Your official income statements live safely in your own myGov account, we never touch your login details. For payroll, we use a secure partner system to collect the information we need. You’re in full control: you can update, add, or remove your details at any time. This way, your personal information stays safe, and you can focus on the work you love knowing your admin is handled securely.