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

Caller: 1300 466 859

This is an ATO number, and they definitely have an early intervention department. Often they call about debts you have self reported so they don’t send a letter first, they call to resolve the debt. But you can just call back any ato number if you feel more confident and they will transfer you to the department.

Caller: ATO

This Number is correct. It is list on the website,

People have mentioned the ATO webpage, never make call for debts, that page is from 2015 and not correct (should be removed)

1300 466 859 Debt Early Intervention for the ATO

It's not rocket science, if you are unsure you always go to the website or get the main inquiry line, whether from the ATO, Bank, any government agency, and call them.

How do I know this. I have worked for Debt Early Interventions for 4 years.

Calls usually come after letters are not answered (maybe went to your Tax agent) you don't accept the call you get a Debt collection warning letter, possible Garnish, maybe even legal action. The number is legit, you can always call the ATO scam number, or General Inquiry number and find out if the ATO actually did call you, not rocket science people.

Caller: ATO

Why would a scammer ask you to call back on a number that is published on the ATO website? It completely defeats the purpose! When scammers call they either ask you to press a number on your phone to return the call or leave a bogus number. Those on this site that say your accountant told you it is a scam call, all I can say is get a new accountant! If they don't recognise this is a legitimate call then they are obviously not very experienced and you should run whilst you can! If you have any concerns get your accountant to check your ATO record (or any other entity you are associated with) via the Tax Agent Portal. Yes, be cautious by all means however do not ever ignore a request to contact the ATO on a legitimate number.

Caller: ATO

RD this is not a scam number. The reason you are asked for a TFN or ABN when you call is so we can locate your client's account. If you are not happy providing this information then simply skip this process by selecting the # option on your phone. As you would be aware the ATO has introduced voice authentication as a way to quickly and easily identify individuals who call, as a Tax Agent you are not eligible to register a voiceprint on behalf of your client. All you need to do is provide your registered agent number and a reference number (usually from a BAS or NoA). The 1300 466 859 number is listed on the ATO website. If you have any concerns then please call the Registered Agent number on 13 72 86.