Jill, an international student, had been working part-time while studying in Australia.

When it came time to lodge her income tax return she wasn’t sure of what to do. But instead of phoning the Tax Office or a registered tax agent, she accepted an offer of help from Ram, another international student.

She gave Ram her TFN and other personal details so he could complete her tax return, which she then lodged with the Tax Office and received a tax refund.

But once she left Australia, Ram used her TFN to lodge false tax returns and open bank accounts in her name.

Fortunately the Tax Office detected the false returns and Ram was arrested. During his trial the court heard he also lodged false tax returns for other international students who had left Australia and used accounts opened in their names to get hold of their tax refunds.

Ram was found guilty and sentenced to two and a half years jail and had to pay back the money he claimed.

Meanwhile Jill returned to work in Australia and found she had problems using her TFN as a result of Ram’s crimes. It caused her considerable stress constantly having to prove her identity had been misused.