ATO launches new app feature to stop scam calls

Australians can now instantly confirm whether a call claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is genuine, with the launch of a new in-app security feature designed to shut down scammers. The new verify call feature in the ATO app allows users to confirm, in real time, they are speaking with the real ATO, not a fraudster.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Anita Challen says the new feature puts control back in taxpayers’ hands to be able to shut down calls that are not from the ATO and protect their accounts.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly savvy, making it harder for individuals to distinguish between illegitimate and genuine contact,” she said. “This powerful security measure means fraudsters will find it harder to pretend to impersonate the ATO, and Australians will have more control of their accounts and more certainty that they are dealing with the real tax office.”

The ATO says the app provides a quick, easy and secure way for people to manage their tax and super on the go and protect themselves from scammers.

Taxpayers are encouraged to download the ATO app and register their device. Then, when taxpayers receive a call from someone claiming to be from the ATO, they simply need to open the ATO app, login and select the verify call option. Within 30 seconds, a notification should confirm it is an ATO call. If it doesn’t appear, users should treat it as a scam call and hang up.

Delivered as part of the ATO’s Counter Fraud Program, this feature is designed to bolster the agency’s existing fraud controls in the app which are designed to keep taxpayers’ accounts secure and include:

• real-time messages when key changes are made to their account
• account locking to prevent unauthorised access or fraudulent activity.
   

The ATO continues to see impersonation scams peak during tax time, with almost 7500 ATO impersonation scams reported in July 2025 alone, and is warning Australians to stay vigilant.

“Scammers are primed for the opportunity during tax time to try to take advantage of taxpayers who may be expecting communications from the ATO,” Challen said. “When in doubt, taxpayers should stop and check, before responding or acting on a call or message claiming to be from the ATO.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Thapana Onphalai