ATO tax scams target thousands of Australians every year, and many start with a simple text or email. If a message has landed in your inbox claiming to be from the tax office, the first question is usually the same: is this real?
Here is the direct answer. Yes, the Australian Taxation Office can contact you by text or email. It will never ask for personal or financial details, request payment through unusual methods, or send you a link that goes straight to a login page. Genuine ATO messages are informational, not demanding. The ATO’s own scam data page reported 1,547 impersonation scam reports in June 2026 alone, a 12% jump from the month before, which shows just how active this problem stays around tax time.
The good news is that spotting a scam becomes straightforward once you know the signs.
This blog breaks down how genuine ATO contact works, the warning signs of fraud, what to do if you are targeted, and how to protect your details going forward.
What Are ATO Tax Scams?
ATO tax scams are attempts by criminals to impersonate the Australian Taxation Office to steal your money or personal information. They pretend to be a trusted authority, so you lower your guard and act quickly.
These scams appear in several formats. Text messages, known as smishing, arrive with fake links. Emails, known as ATO phishing scams, copy official logos and branding. Scammers also make phone calls and build fake websites that look almost identical to the real thing.
Scam activity climbs sharply around tax time and refund season. That is when Australians expect contact from the tax office, so a fake message feels believable. Criminals rely on three tools: urgency, fear, and the reputation of a government agency. A message that pressures you to act “or else” is designed to stop you thinking clearly.
How the ATO Uses Text Messages
Can the ATO contact you by text or email is a common question, and the SMS answer is yes. The ATO does send legitimate text messages to taxpayers. These are usually reminders or general notifications, such as a reminder to check your account or a heads-up about a lodgement deadline.
The key point is what a genuine text will not do. A real ATO SMS will not contain a hyperlink asking you to log in or provide personal details. If a text tells you to click a link and sign into myGov, treat it as a scam.
Scam texts differ in obvious ways once you look. They include suspicious links, requests for your Tax File Number or bank details, and threats about fines or arrest. If a message creates panic and pushes you to decide urgently, slow down and verify it before doing anything else.
How the ATO Uses Email
The ATO can email you, but within clear limits. Genuine emails may notify you that something needs your attention and direct you to log in to your myGov or ATO Online account yourself.
The key point is this: the ATO will not email you asking for personal details, your Tax File Number, bank details, or passwords. It will not send a link that takes you directly to a login page.
ATO scam emails try to close that gap. They spoof the ATO logo, copy official wording, and use a sender address that looks legitimate at a glance. Look closely, and the address will not end in “.gov.au”. A mismatched or odd sender domain is one of the clearest signs an email is fake.
How Can You Tell if an ATO Message Is a Scam?
Working out how to identify an ATO scam comes down to a few habits. Check the sender’s full address, not just the display name. Hover your cursor over any link before clicking to see where it really leads. Watch for pressure tactics that push you to act fast.
The safest step is to verify independently. Never use the phone number or link inside the message. Instead, contact the ATO directly through the official app, the official website, or by phone. Scamwatch’s dedicated page on ATO and myGov impersonation scams walks through real examples of these fake messages side by side with what a genuine one looks like, which is worth a look if you want to compare a message you have received.
Comparison – Genuine ATO Contact vs Scam Messages
| Feature | Genuine ATO Contact | ATO Scam Message |
| Requests for TFN, bank or card details | Never asks via SMS/email | Frequently requested |
| Links to log in | Directs you to myGov/ATO online yourself | Includes direct login links |
| Payment methods | Standard official channels | Gift cards, crypto, unusual transfers |
| Tone | Informational | Urgent, threatening |
| Threats of arrest | Never | Common |
Common Signs of an ATO Tax Scam
A quick checklist helps you catch fraud fast. Watch for these warning signs:
- Urgent threats of arrest, fines, or legal action.
- Requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unusual transfers.
- Requests for your Tax File Number, myGov login, or bank details.
- Links to fake login or refund pages.
- Poor spelling, grammar, or a mismatched sender address.
- Promises of an unexpected refund in exchange for your details.
- Pressure to act immediately or keep the contact secret.
Any single sign is reason enough to pause. Several together almost always point to a scam.
What the ATO Will Never Ask You to Do
Knowing the tax office’s boundaries makes fakes easier to spot. Through unsolicited text or email, the ATO will never:
- Ask for your Tax File Number, passwords, or myGov login.
- Request payment by gift card, iTunes voucher, or cryptocurrency.
- Send a link that goes directly to a login page.
- Demand immediate payment to avoid arrest.
- Ask you to pay a fee to release a refund.
If a message asks for any of these, it is fraudulent. No exceptions.
What Should You Do If You Receive a Suspicious ATO Message?
Take these steps calmly:
- Do not click links, reply, or call any numbers in the message.
- Do not provide any personal or financial information.
- Verify the contact by logging into myGov directly or calling the ATO on official numbers.
- Report the scam to the ATO, then delete the message.
You can call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to check whether a message is genuine. Reporting suspicious contact also helps the tax office warn other Australians.
What Should You Do If You Have Already Shared Your Details?
If you already responded, act quickly to limit the damage:
- Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial or card details.
- Change your passwords, starting with myGov and your email account.
- Call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to secure your tax account.
- Contact IDCARE, a free identity and cyber support service in Australia.
- Watch for unusual activity and report suspected identity theft.
Fast action reduces the risk of fraud committed in your name. The sooner you lock things down, the better.
How Can You Protect Yourself From ATO Scams?
Prevention is far easier than recovery. Build these habits into your routine:
- Keep your myGov and email passwords strong and unique.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it is available.
- Never click links in unexpected ATO messages, and go directly to official sites instead.
- Verify any contact independently using official ATO numbers.
- Keep your software and devices updated.
- Stay informed about current scam alerts through Scamwatch and the ATO.
- Work with a registered tax agent who can confirm genuine ATO contact.
A longer breakdown of these habits is worth a read if you want more detail on any of these steps, since the pattern of scams shifts a little every tax season and it helps to stay current.
A registered agent adds a useful layer of protection. If you are unsure about a message, an expert can check it against your real tax position.
How a Tax Agent Can Help With Your Tax Questions
A registered tax agent can quickly confirm whether ATO contact is genuine. Because your agent works with the tax office on your behalf, they know what real communication looks like and can flag anything suspicious before you respond. A registered tax agent reviews correspondence as part of normal client support, not as an extra add-on service.
Working with a professional gives you peace of mind, secure treatment of your tax affairs, and clear guidance during tax time. Whether you have a question about a message or your return, expert support keeps you on solid ground.
If you are already preparing to lodge, getting your individual tax return sorted through a registered agent means someone familiar with your tax position is already across your details, which makes it far easier to spot when something looks off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the ATO contact you by text or email?
Yes. The ATO can contact you by SMS and email, but it will never ask for personal or financial details or include a link directing you straight to a login page.
How do I know if an ATO text message is real?
A genuine ATO text will not ask you to click a link to log in or provide personal information. If a message requests these, treat it as a scam and verify by contacting the ATO directly.
What should I do if I receive an ATO scam email?
Do not click any links or reply. Delete the email, report it to the ATO through official channels, and verify your account by logging into myGov directly.
Will the ATO ask me to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency?
No. The ATO will never request payment via gift cards, iTunes vouchers, or cryptocurrency. Any such request is a scam.
What should I do if I already gave my details to a scammer?
Act quickly. Contact your bank, change your passwords, notify the ATO to secure your account, and consider contacting an identity support service if your personal information was shared.
How can I report an ATO scam?
You can report suspicious ATO messages directly to the ATO through their official scam reporting channels, or call the ATO on 1800 008 540 to verify and report contact.
Stay One Step Ahead of ATO Scams
Scammers count on speed and fear, but a calm, informed response stops them cold. The tax office does use text and email, yet it will never demand your login, your Tax File Number, or payment through gift cards or crypto. That single fact clears up most of the confusion around ATO tax scams.
When a message feels off, pause, verify through official channels, and never act on details inside the message itself. Protecting your passwords, using multi-factor authentication, and staying current with scam alerts keeps your information secure through every tax season.
ITP Accounting Professionals has helped Australians navigate tax questions and stay alert to scams like these for decades.
If you ever feel unsure about a message claiming to be from the ATO, get in touch with your local ITP office for a quick check before you respond to anything.