Got the same too. Not An ATO number. Beware...Do NOT GIVE ANY INFO. Hang up and ring proper official ATO number. ( although they do not need you at all)

I just visited the ATO website https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/ and called the number next to "Report a scam" 1800 008 540) to ask them if this number is legit.

Peter answered and after a coupole of minutes on hold, he confirmed that this is not one of their numbers and confirmed that I didn't provide them with any details.

So don't believe chat forums, check it out for yourself.

I got a call from the ato. Person calling did not ask for a tax file number, but for me to identify myself. First thoughts was,this a scam. Then I ask this person to email me, what was due. The scary part. What I knew was due to be paid. Match what was e mailed. Dont know for if this a scam.. Will be ringing ato, later today.

Babu, that is the standard message that we leave. You don't need to provide us with the TFN, but the ABN assists us in bring up your details, also your ABN is a public identifying number, unlike a TFN. Call our switchboard on 13 28 69 if you have concerns that it is a scam. You will soon discover it is not & we are contacting you for a very good reason.

Just had a call 11.46 am 17th Sept 2014 from a lady (Aussie Accent ) from a private number claiming to be from Tax office. Would not give me any details , Asked her to send me a letter , she said she can't needs to verify my id first. I hung up . She called back and left a voice mail asking me to call the tax office on 1300 661 508 with my TFN or ABN within 2 business days. ????? Anyone else know any more about this

Had a call from a "Helen" to my office requesting Tax File Numbe4r and message was passed to me. When my PA rang back to check if it was me or my son they were asking about (AS WE HAVE THE SAME NAME AND WORK TOGETHER), THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS THEN WE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THIS NUMBER. iT IS VER STRANGE THAT tAX dEPT WOULD ASK FOR tfn OVER THE PHONE ISN;TIT?

said he was from tax department????