Absolute, pure, unadulterated scam!. Called back from voicemail message and provided the reference number, which was incorrect. Then was told that "give me your tax file number and we'll clear this up. When I refused was put through to supervisor, who assured me that it was the ATO, and that i had a debt to repay. questioned the debt and was told i need to provide my TFN to obtain the details. Told them outright they were operating a scam, and indicated that ATO or any government agency would not ask for bank details, TFN or any other personal identifiers, the quickly put me on hold and then promptly hung up.

Caller: ATO

This is definitely the ATO and NOT a scam.
After calling them, I checked this site, read the first comment confirming it was the ATO.
But then I panicked when reading the rest of these replies. As many state it's a scam.
So I called the ATO directly (from their contact number online) and they confirmed it was one of their main numbers.
So phew, all safe. A relief seeing as I gave them personal info. 😮

no, its not a scam. Its the ATO Debt and lodgment call back line, https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/contact-us/#Debtandlodgment. And you ARE correct about letters, the ATO send out letters first and reminders, and if you ignore them, they call you. So check in mygov or your tax agent if everything is up to date.

no, its not a scam. Its the ATO Debt and lodgment call back line, https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/contact-us/#Debtandlodgment

Both my wife and I were called about her tax debt, asked to phone 1300 466 859 (which is a legit ATO number) and provide our TFNs to aid identification. Strongly suspect this is a scam to gather personal information because: (a) my wife uses her maiden name, but the caller referred to her as Mrs <my name>; (b) caller said my wife should check her Mygov account to see what the call was about but there was nothing there; and (c) I have an accountant handle my tax and finance matters, so no direct contact with the ATO (who don't have my direct contact details).

Caller: ATO Debt & Lodgement Early Intervention

It a call from ATO D&L Early Intervention. If you owe, no payment made, or had defaulted payment plans, ATO Officer will contact you. There is no call id showing on screen as per their protocol. You should contact them back immediately other legal action proceeds. Google this number and you will find it published on ATO website. 1300 466 859.

Caller: 1300 466 859

You scammer get f*cked and do something better for yourself. Bunch of idiots

Caller: ATO

just got this call myself. they provided me a reference number and to call back 1300 466 598 as i was skeptical. i called the generic line 13 11 42 and turns out it was about my debt. they said the ATO sent me a letter but my tax agent had put the postal address as theirs which is why i didn't receive the letters and it was set to online preference for mail. my advice is to call the ATO back on the number on their ato.gov website and give them that reference after verifying who you are they can transfer you to the correct department. and another point was tax agents changing the contact number under MY name to theirs. which is why i didnt get any notification, i went with a new tax agent after this.

Steve, the ATO DO NOT garnishee your bank account if you don't return the call. These 1300 numbers are to a third party, who try and collect outstanding ATO debts on behalf of the ATO. They receive a commission for it.

So i can understand what the ATO scammers have to gain on these messages by trying to convince folk that its a genuine number, but consider this.......what is in it for the countless people saying its definitely a SCAM? Nothing right, which makes me believe the folk saying that its a SCAM.........unlucky scammers, hey a word of advice to the scammers on here, get a proper job, a real job, make your kids proud

You are wrong. The ATO is currently conducting an outbound campaign. Normally they do not call clients but because of Covid 19 and the unusual times we are in they are calling people at the moment. The purpose is to see whether you require any assistance or information to bring outstanding obligations up to date. Whether if be outstanding lodgements or monies. You can verify the number on the ATO.gov.au website. Go to the bottom of the ATO home page and click on Contact Us link. On the next page you scroll down about three quarters of the way and you see the heading "Payment support callback line" and the number matches....1300 466 859. IT IS NOT A SCAM

Caller: ATO

It's not a scam, calm down. The number is for Debt Early Intervention. It's listed on the ATO website. The ATO do indeed call regarding debt. At this point in time though, the calls going out with this number are to offer assistance to clients who may have been affected by Covid-19.

Caller: " Rob Davidson"

This call came through on my work phone, so given anyone could have answered it, how could it have been about my account?
This guy had an Australian accent. ye-p a scam and no - no details given

Caller: Australian Taxation Office

I rang the ATO central phone number for individuals - 132 861 (from the ATO website) - to ask about the legitimacy of this contact.
I had received a voice to text from a private number, asking me to call this number. After reading this page, it really threw me for a 6 ... I was not sure whether it was a legitimate contact from the ATO or not.
It turns out that indeed, it was. They had called me regarding an outstanding tax return & associated debt (they had a record of the call, the date, the time, etc., that I was able to check against the missed call date and time in my phone).
This is not to say that this number has not been USED in a scam - only to say that this number LEGITIMATELY belongs to the ATO, so please, please do not ignore the call. Take it, and then maybe ask if you can ring them back on another ATO number (look up yourself on Google) if you're in any doubt, then ask to be put through to Early Intervention services.

This number is legitimate, although I called 1800 008 540 instead which is the ATO's scam line to make sure it was legitimate. They did not have any record of the call I received. They also said I have no record of owing the ATO any money. Also if a number shows when they call, it's probably a scam too, ATO always comes up private or no number.

Caller: 1300 466 859

Better ring ATO first to know the problem. Don't call back in any given no. provided.

Caller: ATO

Not a scam at all, it's the ATO

Caller: ATO

This is a legitimate ATO number. The call will be about Tax Debt. The number is on the ATO Website (Contact Us Page).

If you are unsure, call the ATO - find the ATO number independently either off the ATO Website or via the Whitepages - call and they will help you ensure its a legitimate call.

You can also link your ATO credentials to your MyGov Account. Debts will appear there if you have any.

Caller: Private number (ATO)

The ATO will never call you out of the blue !
All of my correspondance is via mail or SMS.
Here is a direct quote from the ATO. https://www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Media-releases/Don-t-fall-for-phony-tax-debt-scam/
“We make thousands of outbound calls to taxpayers a week, but there are some key differences to a legitimate call from the ATO and a call from a potential scammer” said Mr Leeper.

“We would never cold call you about a debt; we would never threaten jail or arrest, and our staff certainly wouldn’t behave in an aggressive manner. If you’re not sure, hang up and call us back on 1800 008 540,” said Mr Leeper.

Then you are a sh*t agent