This is a scam. They leave a message saying to call 1300 466 859. This is a legitimate ATO number. However, I called ATO and they had no record of calling me. The caller I could barely understand on message so I was suspected was some sort of scam. Guess their motivation is to make them sound legitimate.

Caller: ato

Not true. I have had a business for 20 years and have had numerous calls from the ATO! All legit - usually to clear up a late BAS payment or such. They do send letters as well, but they also call. Ignoring their calls will get you into trouble. NOT A SCAM.

Caller: Australian Tax Office

This is a legitimate number

https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/

its listed about half way down the page.

Caller: ATO

LOOKS LEGIT.

https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/

1300 466 859

Debt Early Intervention



By engaging with taxpayers early, we can help them manage their obligations and prevent their debt from escalating

8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

PLEASE PEOPLE!

Makes you wonder why the people on here are so keen to post about things that they know nothing about. Probably have something to hide or owe the ATO money themselves.

I am a practicing registered tax agent and this number IS A GENUINE CONTACT NUMBER FOR THE DEBT EARLY INTERVENTION SECTION OF THE ATO.

You can see the number clearly on the ATO's public website "Phone us" page.

https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/

definitely legitimate- Early Intervention debt collection of the ATO- just called them and sorted things;

My god some of these comments are so dumb. Yes 1300 466 859 is a genuine number. No that does not mean that anyone who calls you and quotes that number is actually from the ATO. If you have received a call from a private number and they quote that number over the phone, there is no guarantee that the caller was genuine. I have had it confirmed that someone who called me from a private number and provided this number was not from the ATO, the ATO had no record of a call from them.

Best bet is to call the ATO back via a number published on their website and then ask for them to look up your account. Don't give anyone calling from a private number any details.

I did not feel comfortable calling 1300 466 859 and giving my TFN and other personal details.
Best to call your accountant and get them to contact ATO on behalf of you regarding your outstanding debt (in this case, Integrated Client Account). Otherwise call ATO directly on 13 28 65 (individual) or 13 72 26 (business) to make a payment arrangement.

I called the ATO spam alert number on 1800 008 540 to check this out and they advised me that this number is listed in their Contact Us section under Debt and Lodgement: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/about-us/contact-us/phone-us/

IT IS NOT A SCAM NUMBER!

This number is a real ATO Early Intervention Number, 1300 466 859
The ATO calls entities, individuals, anybody who is authorised on the account they wish to discuss, calls to Authorised Contacts or Tax Agents are made in relation to Debt or Lodgement issues, Early Invention provides customer service while getting those Authorised on the Account to adddress this issues that the ATO are calling about, if you look up the ATO website the number is clearly displayed as an ATO number, if you are given time to contact them back make sure you do as if not they can take further action against you, such as garnishing your account or legal action. If you get a call and don’t believe it’s the ATO just call the ATO yourself and ask them if you were contacted by them
This number is a real number from ATO

https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/

Yes they do, and the number is 1300 466 859.

Is it real? I missed pay last 6months

I was also sceptical - it so hard not to be these days. This number is listed on the ATO Contact Us page under Debt and Lodgement. Check it for yourself. They were able to give me information as proof eg the amount of the last BAS return lodged. I was also able to independently verify the amount they said was outstanding.

They just rang me claiming they were from ATO the early intervention unit. Rang me at work using my real name (rather than the name most people call me) and then went on to tell me that they had tried contacting my daughter who has a different last name about money $4051.90 she owes ATO. Gave me their number! Really weird. Certainly went to great lengths!

if you get this message or phone call - go to the ATO website get there phone number listed there and call that number- this way you can be sure you are talking to the ato and you can confirm if 1300 466 859 is actually the ATO--ITS NOT but you should check for yourself
Dont give your info to anybody that calls you

The number is listed on the ATO web site as contact number for outstanding tax debt.

Caller said from ATO in regards to superfund. I said give me your phone number. Then gave me 1300 466 859. Then I called ATO who checked and said yes,there's a call recorded contacting you in regards to an outstanding debt from a previous years tax returns.

This is a real ato number. They were just informing me about an outstanding amount that was owed from my esuperfund.

It is not fake. The number is listed on the ATO's website https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/about-us/contact-us/phone-us/ on a contact table (scroll down to "Debt and Lodgement" - it's there). The phone call/leave a message approach has been very poorly done by the ATO. I almost ignored the call because of the comments on this page. If you are still uncertain contact the ATO on their main number 13 28 29 with a Debt and Lodgement enquiry.