The ATO does indeed have an "early debt collection department", it is known as "Debt Early Intervention" and the number 1300 466 859 is listed on the ATO website. It is not a scam. If you received a message requesting you call 1300 466 859 then it is likely that either you or an entity you are associated with has a debt owing to the ATO. I would recommend you call the ATO asap to avoid further debt recovery action from being taken.

Caller: T.Y Wong

1300 466 859 is a Scam. The Australian Taxation Office does not have an "early debt collection department"

Caller: Ed from ATO

The idiots saying this is a scam, are idiots. It is 100% the ATO. A simple google search will bring up the ato web site with the phone number half way down the page.
“Debt Early Intervention
By engaging with taxpayers early, we can help them manage their obligations and prevent their debt from escalating”

Liar.. its a scam

Caller: A scam with the same number as the "TAXATION OFFICE"

Ok...... I have gotten several calls from 1300 466 859 through the week and of weekends. Yes , the "same" number at the "Early payment ATO Office". Fair enough. However, The "REAL" Australian Taxation Office will only ring on weekdays 9 to 5, only from a private number,do NOT text,if a voice mail is left it WILL include your "correct" name within the voice mail as another protection of security and protocol as the REAL ATO have this information from your legal lodged tax return and they will ONLY try and ring ONCE before then attempting to contact you via the My Gov site or Mail form.
Yes, scams going around are known to be using the correct phone numbers of ligit businesses as a ploy for you to think it is a legal call.
I can and do positively mention all of this as I have trialled this number on 7 phone calls over a 1 month period and have recieved ,if not exactly the same response, very close to what I have just explained in my message.
In a bit shell, if it is the ACTUAL ATO, follow what I have been told 7 times over a month from the ACTUAL ATO. Outside of this, it IS a SCAM!.
Hope this helps.

Caller: 'Samuel' from the ATO Melbourne

'Samuel' asked to speak to me...I asked him what about...he can't divulge until he verifies me with my Tax Number or ABN (I don't have an ABN). I asked - what's it generally about? He mumbled a PAYG instalment. I said I don't have one of those...and since you know all about me I have an accountant that looks after all this stuff. To which he said ...oh we tried to call them...I asked which one? He said he's not allowed to say under Privacy... So he gives me the number to call back - 1300 466 859 - and I must call back in 2 days. I asked why? He says that's the time they give people to call back. I asked "...and then what happens if I don't..." Awkward pause... you just need to call back in 2 days time. OK Samuel thanks, I have real work to do.

Caller: ATO

It’s the ato I just got of phone with them I told them they need to look into a better system as I was very nervous but it’s correct I had to answer questions which I answered incorrectly about address etc to see if I could fool them but no they wouldn’t proceed as I didn’t give them the answers they had on file. If they called you, you more then likely haven’t filled one of your tax returns

Caller: Scam

I missed a call from No Caller ID at 6:40pm, then received a message “return the call 1300 466 859..”I called back, it is ATOs number but it wasnt calling from ATO. their business hour is 8:30-6pm . So it’s a scam call.

It's literally on their website under Debt and Lodgement https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/contact-us/phone-us/

GET A FKN REAL JOB AND PAY REAL TAXES LIKE THE REST OF US YOU FKN PATHETIC SCUM OF THE EARTH !!!!!!! F-OFF & DIE !!

All a scammer has to do is look this number up on the ATO website and bingo, give that to the poor gullible idiot who believes the scammer is indeed from the ATO. I was immediately suspicious when I received a call from 'Matthew' I told him to put his concerns in a letter and post it to me with the standard ATO letterhead etc. He clearly did not want to do that! The caller also had an Australian accent, extremely convincing, sounded genuine, but no, don't kid yourselves in thinking these kind of calls only come from people with certain kinds of accents - if you take my meaning.

Caller: 1300 466 859

Scam. The ato will send offical reminders in the mail. If in doubt speak to your accountant. Never give any details to phone callers. Never buy from Telemarketing. Register on the do not call register. Try and record their details or the conversation itself and report it to the police.

Caller: https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/contact-us/phone-us/https://www.reverseaustralia.com/lookup/1300 466 859/

Not a scam, wait to talk to the operator. Number is listed on the website. It was a genuine tax issue w/ our super and they sorted without taking any bank details etc

Caller: ATO

If you are in fact a Registered Tax agent then it appears that you have not attended any of the ATO Seminars lately. If you did, you would realise what a goose you just made of yourself.

Caller: San

Guys, this number is legit & is published on their website. All outgoing calls are recorded from their end. I rang them back & they confirmed, its them who called & the matter was authentic. People who are calling it a scam are in fact scams themselves.

Please verify numbers you are requested to ring back & check their website always.

They call off a private number and leave a message to call 1300 466 859. It is a legitimate number listed on the ATO website.
I think they get you scared so when they call you back again you will give them your details.

Caller: ATO

As a tax agent you should know that it is ATO number. Usually they will call peaople who do have a payment plan and missed few payments. They don't ask your DOB or bank details, just enough information to confirm your identity.

From ATO family trust matters. Detail: I don’t have family here nor a trust. SCAM!!!

Caller: Not the real ATO but they leave the real ATOs number

SCAM!!
This number does belong to the ATO but the person calling you from a private number and leaving this number on your voicemail doesn't work for the ATO.
I called this number after I had a message on my voicemail and the guy from the ATO said they haven't called me.
He even said it seems like a dodgy call.

Call it if you like, and they'll tell you if they really called you or not and if they didn't, when the guy calls you back in a couple of days just hang up on him

I had a call from ATO, double checked it is a number from ATO to call them back.
I thought it is a fraud but ATO confirmed it was from them.