A Warrnambool police spokesman said the ATO had received reports of the new scam that asks people to update their myGov or myGovID details.

Scammers pretending to be from the "myGov customer care team" are emailing people and telling them they need to verify their identity by clicking on a link.

The link goes to a fake myGov logon page designed to steal their personal information.

Police have advised the community to be cautious and if you receive a similar email, don't click any links and don't provide the information requested.

Police said a genuine ATO, myGovID, or myGov message would never ask you to access online services via a hyperlink.

If you receive an SMS or email that looks like it's from myGov, but it contains a link or appears suspicious, you can report it to ScamWatch.

If you have clicked on a link or provided your personal information, you can contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126.

Visit www.ato.gov.au/scamalerts to find out more.

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