The regulator said any SMS messages sent to trustees will no longer contain hyperlinks to protect trustees and make it easier to distinguish between a legitimate ATO SMS and a fake SMS.
As is standard practice, the ATO will send SMSF trustees an alert if there have been any changes made to their fund which include registering a new SMSF, or changing an existing fund’s financial institution account details, electronic service address (ESA), or authorised contact, or members.
Previously, SMS alerts for changes made to an SMSF’s information contained a hyperlink and email alerts will still contain them.
The ATO said if a trustee does receive an SMS or email regarding a new SMSF registration, or any changes made to an existing SMSF that they are not aware of, they should contact the other trustees or directors of the SMSF and any authorised representatives to check if they have made the changes.
If trustees are concerned about a new SMSF registration or changes made to an existing SMSF, they should contact the ATO on 13 10 20. They should also contact this number even if they aren’t sure whether the SMS or email alert received is genuine or fake.
The ATO added that to safeguard super, trustees must keep their email and mobile phone details up to date as this will help ensure they continue to receive alerts.
