Received a Scam Call From the ATO? Here Is What It Means and What To Do

You receive a call — or an automated message — warning you of unpaid taxes, a warrant for your arrest, or your Tax File Number being suspended. It claims to be from the Australian Taxation Office. It demands immediate payment or threatens serious consequences. This is a scam. It is one of the most reported scams in Australia, it is run by criminal organisations, and the ATO will never contact you this way. Here is everything you need to know.

How the ATO Scam Works

The scam typically starts with an automated robocall or a real person claiming to be from the ATO or a law enforcement agency acting on behalf of the ATO. They claim you have unpaid taxes, that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, that your TFN has been compromised or suspended, or that you owe money related to COVID-19 payments or stimulus funds. The call creates extreme urgency — you must act NOW or face arrest, deportation, or legal action. You are instructed to make immediate payment via unusual methods: gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Steam), cryptocurrency, wire transfer to an overseas account, or cash through an ATM. If you question them, they escalate the threats. They may give you a fake badge number and tell you to call a specific number to verify — that number is also part of the scam.

How to Know It Is a Scam

The real ATO will never: threaten you with immediate arrest or deportation. Demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash ATM deposits. Ask you to keep the matter secret from family members. Request your TFN, bank account details, or passwords over the phone without you initiating contact. Demand payment without first sending official correspondence by mail to your registered address. And crucially — the real ATO gives you time to get professional advice. Urgency and secrecy are the scammer's tools, not the ATO's.

What to Do If You Receive This Call

Hang up. You do not need to engage, explain yourself, or listen to the whole message. Simply hang up. Do not call back any number they provide — it is part of the scam. If you are worried there might be a real tax issue, call the ATO directly on 1800 008 540 (the official ATO scam line) or visit ato.gov.au to check your account. If you have already paid any money or provided any information to these scammers, read on.

If You Already Paid or Gave Information

If you sent gift cards: contact the card issuer immediately — there is a small chance the funds have not been redeemed yet and can be blocked. Gift card fraud is very difficult to reverse once the cards are redeemed, but it is worth trying immediately. If you transferred money: contact your bank's fraud line immediately. If you provided personal information (TFN, bank account details, passwords): contact your bank to flag potential fraud on your accounts. Consider placing a credit alert with the credit bureaus to prevent identity fraud. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. And if your device was accessed remotely as part of the scam — if you downloaded any software or gave a caller remote access to your computer or phone — get your device checked by a professional immediately, as malware may have been installed.

If Your Device Was Accessed

ATO scams sometimes escalate to asking for remote access to your computer to "fix" the problem or verify your details. If you gave anyone remote access to your computer or phone as part of what you now believe was a scam, your device needs to be professionally checked. Scammers with remote access can install keyloggers, remote access tools, and other malware that allows ongoing access to your device even after the call ends. IntrusionX provides emergency device security assessments for scam victims across Melbourne — call +61 499 468 971 for immediate help. We will check your device, remove any malware installed, and help you secure your accounts.

Reporting ATO Scams

Report the scam to the ATO at ato.gov.au/general/online-services/protecting-your-tax-information/tax-related-scams and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Reporting helps authorities track these operations and protect other Australians. You can report even if you did not lose any money — the data about scam methods and phone numbers is valuable to investigators.