--- title: "ATO scam calls and texts: how to spot them | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/ato-scam-calls-and-texts source: TapSafely description: "Is that ATO message real? The warning signs, ATO's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ ATO # ATO scam calls and texts: how to spot them Scammers copy ATO because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake ATO message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short The ATO says it will never send unsolicited texts or emails with links or QR codes, ask for personal identifying details by email or text, threaten arrest or cancel your TFN, or ask for payment by gift card, crypto or cash. It may contact you by phone, email, SMS, post or myGov, and its calls show as No Caller ID. If you are not sure, call the ATO on 1800 008 540. **Most common fake:** You have a tax refund waiting, sign in to myGov through this link. **Safest check:** Type my.gov.au into your browser yourself rather than using a link. Example · fake ATO message · Illustrative, links disabled ATO: You are eligible for a tax refund of $812.40. Sign in to myGov to verify your identity and claim before it expires: mygov-ato-refund[.]com/login An example fake ATO message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What ATO says The ATO says it will never send unsolicited texts or emails with links or QR codes, ask for personal identifying details by email or text, threaten arrest or cancel your TFN, or ask for payment by gift card, crypto or cash. It may contact you by phone, email, SMS, post or myGov, and its calls show as No Caller ID. If you are not sure, call the ATO on 1800 008 540. Source: [Australian Taxation Office](https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/verify-or-report-an-ato-scam) ## Common fake ATO messages - You have a tax refund waiting, sign in to myGov through this link - You owe a tax debt and will be arrested unless you pay today - Email with an attachment to book an ATO phone appointment - Fake DocuSign email about a tax notice or refund - Robocall saying your tax file number has been suspended ## ATO's real web addresses Genuine ATO links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **ato.gov.au** is real, but **ato-support-center.com** or **ato.gov.au.account-check.top** are not. - **ato.gov.au** - **my.gov.au** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a ATO message safely 1. Type my.gov.au into your browser yourself rather than using a link 2. Call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to check whether the contact is real 3. Check that email sender addresses end in ato.gov.au, and remember they can still be faked 4. Never pay a tax debt by gift card, crypto or cash ## How to report a fake ATO message - Forward scam emails, or email screenshots of scam texts, to the ATO at ReportScams@ato.gov.au, or use its online report form. [Official details on ato.gov.au](https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/verify-or-report-an-ato-scam) - If you lost money or shared details, call the ATO on 1800 008 540 and contact your bank. [Official details on ato.gov.au](https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/verify-or-report-an-ato-scam) - Report the scam to Scamwatch. [Official details on scamwatch.gov.au](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real ATO website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Fake tax refunds, government payments and fines](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-tax-refund-messages) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does ATO send messages asking for payment or personal details? The ATO says it will never send unsolicited texts or emails with links or QR codes, ask for personal identifying details by email or text, threaten arrest or cancel your TFN, or ask for payment by gift card, crypto or cash. It may contact you by phone, email, SMS, post or myGov, and its calls show as No Caller ID. If you are not sure, call the ATO on 1800 008 540. How can I check if a ATO message is real? Type my.gov.au into your browser yourself rather than using a link. Call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to check whether the contact is real. Check that email sender addresses end in ato.gov.au, and remember they can still be faked. Never pay a tax debt by gift card, crypto or cash. How do I report a fake ATO message? Forward scam emails, or email screenshots of scam texts, to the ATO at ReportScams@ato.gov.au, or use its online report form. If you lost money or shared details, call the ATO on 1800 008 540 and contact your bank. Report the scam to Scamwatch. I clicked a link in a fake ATO message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Verify or report an ATO scam](https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/verify-or-report-an-ato-scam) (Australian Taxation Office) - [Scam alerts](https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/scam-alerts) (Australian Taxation Office) - [Report a scam](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam) (Scamwatch (ACCC)) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Fake tax refunds, government payments and fines Messages about tax refunds, benefit payments or unpaid fines are common scams. 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