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ATO’s New ‘Verify Call’ Feature: How It’s Fighting Tax Time Scams

As tax season kicks into high gear across Australia, millions of Aussies are logging into their myGov accounts to file returns and check refunds. But alongside the usual rush comes a growing threat: phone scams pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In response, the ATO has quietly rolled out a powerful new defence tool—Verify Call—to help Australians spot and stop fraudsters in their tracks.

The move comes amid alarming warnings that scammers could steal up to $97.6 million during this year’s filing period alone. With scam calls targeting taxpayers with fake threats about debt, refunds or identity theft on the rise, the ATO is urging everyone to use its latest in-app verification feature to protect themselves.

What Is the ATO Verify Call Feature?

Launched earlier this month, the Verify Call function is now built directly into the myGov app—Australia’s central gateway for interacting with government services, including the ATO. When you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from the ATO, instead of answering immediately, simply open the myGov app, go to your ATO profile, and tap “Verify Call.”

This action instantly shows you: - Whether the ATO has actually called you today - If they have, what time the call was made - Who requested it (if recorded) - And most importantly—whether the call is legitimate or suspicious

If the call wasn’t initiated by the ATO, the system flags it as potentially fraudulent. You can then choose to block the number and report it directly through the app—helping the ATO track emerging scam patterns.

“This simple but effective tool gives Australians real-time proof that a call is genuine,” says an ATO spokesperson. “We’ve seen scammers get bolder, so we’re giving people the power to verify before they trust.”

The feature is available to all myGov users linked to their ATO account and requires no additional setup—just one tap to confirm legitimacy.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Tax time isn’t just about paperwork—it’s a prime hunting ground for cybercriminals. According to the latest figures from the ACCC’s Scamwatch, reports of ATO impersonation scams have surged by over 40% in the past year, with losses exceeding $21 million in just the first three months of 2024.

Scammers often spoof official-sounding numbers, send urgent texts or emails demanding immediate payment via gift cards or bank transfers, and even threaten legal action if you don’t comply. Many victims don’t realise they’ve been targeted until it’s too late.

But the problem goes deeper than individual fraud. The sheer volume of these calls strains public trust in government agencies—and puts vulnerable people at risk, especially older Australians who may be less familiar with digital tools.

That’s why organisations like CA ANZ (the professional body for accounting firms) are actively promoting Verify Call as part of broader anti-scam campaigns. As one financial advisor told iTnews, “Even if someone thinks they know the ATO won’t call them, scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics. Verify Call removes doubt.”

A Timeline of Recent Developments

Here’s how the ATO’s anti-scam efforts have evolved in recent months:

The timing couldn’t be more critical. Tax return lodgement typically peaks in mid-August, and history shows scammers ramp up operations during this window.

How Scammers Operate (And Why They’re Hard to Stop)

Most ATO scam calls follow a familiar script:
- You’ve got an overdue debt
- Your tax return needs correcting urgently
- Click this link or pay now to avoid prosecution

What makes them dangerous isn’t just the fear factor—it’s the speed. Victims often act within minutes of receiving the call, especially when pressured with deadlines or fake case numbers.

Historically, the ATO has never demanded payment outside official channels, nor threatened arrest over unpaid taxes without prior notice. Yet these myths persist online and offline, feeding the scam economy.

Part of the challenge is technical: fraudsters use spoofed caller IDs that appear identical to real ATO numbers. Even tech-savvy users can be fooled without a way to independently verify.

That’s where Verify Call changes the game. Unlike generic advice like “don’t answer unknown numbers,” the feature offers verifiable proof—backed by the ATO’s own systems.

Who Should Use It—And How?

Anyone with a myGov account should enable Verify Call—especially those who: - File annually or quarterly - Have recently received a suspicious call - Are over 50 (a group disproportionately targeted by scams) - Work in industries with high tax compliance demands (e.g., contractors, freelancers)

Getting started takes under 30 seconds: 1. Open the myGov app 2. Tap your ATO profile 3. Select “Verify Call” 4. Answer honestly when prompted

There’s no cost, no registration, and it works even if you don’t plan to make a call yourself—because sometimes, the best protection is knowing whether someone else tried to reach you.

Image: Example of the Verify Call interface within the myGov app.

Broader Implications for Digital Trust in Government

The introduction of Verify Call reflects a larger shift in how Australian authorities approach public safety online. Rather than relying solely on education or penalties, agencies are now investing in proactive verification layers—similar to two-factor authentication but for voice communications.

This aligns with global trends. The UK’s HMRC launched a similar service last year, while Canada’s CRA uses AI-driven call screening. In Australia, however, the integration with myGov gives the ATO a unique advantage: instant access to user data without requiring separate logins.

Critics argue such tools should be mandatory rather than opt-in. But given low adoption rates of even basic cybersecurity habits (only 38% of Aussies say they’d hang up on unsolicited calls, per Roy Morgan), the ATO opted for accessibility over enforcement.

Still, experts agree: widespread uptake is essential. “If only half the population uses it, scammers will focus on those who don’t,” warns Dr. Emma Tran, cybercrime researcher at RMIT University. “It’s not just about individual protection—it’s about collective resilience.”

Economic and Social Impact So Far

Since launch, preliminary data suggests a noticeable drop in scam reports involving fake ATO calls. While hard numbers aren’t yet public, internal ATO dashboards reportedly show a 15–20% reduction in flagged incidents compared to the same period last year.

Economically, that translates to savings far beyond direct fraud losses. Businesses lose productivity when employees waste time verifying dubious claims; banks face chargebacks from rushed payments; and mental health costs rise as anxiety spikes around “tax scams.”

Socially, early feedback from community groups has been positive. “Older members of our neighbourhood association were terrified after getting a call saying their pension was suspended,” says Margaret Chen, coordinator at Sydney Seniors Hub. “After we showed them how to use Verify Call, many felt empowered—not just protected.”

Looking Ahead: Risks and Opportunities

Moving forward, several challenges remain: - Adoption barriers: Not everyone uses myGov regularly, and some distrust government apps due to past privacy concerns. - Scammer adaptation: Criminals may develop new methods to bypass verification (e.g., mimicking app notifications). - Resource allocation: Maintaining real-time verification requires ongoing investment in infrastructure.

However, opportunities abound. The ATO could expand Verify Call to cover SMS and email scams next. Partnerships with telcos might allow carrier-level filtering. And as artificial intelligence improves, predictive models could flag high-risk interactions before they happen.

One thing is certain: the days of passive victimhood are ending. With Verify Call, Australians now have a concrete way to reclaim control—one verified call at a time.

Stay Safe This Tax Season

Remember:
✅ Always verify unexpected ATO calls via myGov’s Verify Call feature
✅ Never share personal details, passwords, or banking info over the