Is this text or email from Australian Taxation Office a scam?
Government agencies are a favourite scam disguise, and Australian Taxation Office is one of the names scammers hide behind most — a message about a fine, refund or account problem makes people act fast. A text, email or call that looks like it's from Australian Taxation Office can be genuine — but it can just as easily be a scam built to look identical. The good news: a few quick checks almost always tell a real Australian Taxation Office message from a fake.
Genuine Australian Taxation Office links only ever go to ato.gov.au, my.gov.au. Below is exactly what a real Australian Taxation Office message looks like, the scams currently circulating in its name, the red flags that give a fake away, and a real example to compare against. Got a message in front of you? Check it now for an instant verdict.
What a real Australian Taxation Office message looks like
Genuine SMS from Australian Taxation Office typically arrive under the sender ID myGov or ATO or ATOGOV, and real links only ever go to ato.gov.au, my.gov.au.
- Genuine SMS arrive under the sender IDs 'ATO', 'ATOGOV' or 'myGov' — not from a mobile number
- Real ATO messages never include a clickable link asking you to log in or provide personal details
- Official correspondence goes to your myGov inbox — a genuine alert tells you to log in yourself at my.gov.au, it doesn't link you there
- Refunds are paid into the bank account already registered with the ATO — you are never asked to 'claim' one through a link
- ATO staff never threaten arrest or demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer
Crucially, Australian Taxation Office will never demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or an urgent bank transfer, or threaten you with immediate arrest or deportation.
Common Australian Taxation Office scams
- Tax-refund texts ('you have $740 waiting') linking to a fake myGov login page that steals your credentials
- Threatening robocalls claiming a warrant has been issued for your arrest over an unpaid tax debt unless you pay immediately
- Fake myGov login pages on lookalike domains (in the style of 'mygov-au.com' or 'my-gov-refund.com') used to take over your account
- Tax-time phishing emails posing as lodgement confirmations or 'updated tax statements'
Red flags to watch for
- Any SMS or email link asking you to log in to myGov or 'verify your identity' — the ATO never sends clickable login links
- Demands for payment via gift cards (iTunes, Google Play), cryptocurrency or wire transfer — always a scam
- Threats of immediate arrest, deportation or police action over a tax debt
- Pressure to stay on the phone and not speak to your accountant, bank or family
- A 'refund' you weren't expecting that needs your card or bank details to be released
Scam text examples
Here's a real example of a scam message impersonating Australian Taxation Office, with the tell-tale red flags highlighted. Compare it against anything you've received.
myGov: You have an outstanding refund of $740.50 from the ATO. Refunds unclaimed within 48 hours are cancelled. Claim now: mygov-refunds.com
What gives it away:
- Any SMS or email link asking you to log in to myGov or 'verify your identity' — the ATO never sends clickable login links
- Demands for payment via gift cards (iTunes, Google Play), cryptocurrency or wire transfer — always a scam
- Threats of immediate arrest, deportation or police action over a tax debt
- Pressure to stay on the phone and not speak to your accountant, bank or family
- A 'refund' you weren't expecting that needs your card or bank details to be released
Not sure about your message?
Paste the suspicious Australian Taxation Office text or email and get an instant scam verdict, free.
How to verify a message from Australian Taxation Office
- Log in to myGov by typing my.gov.au into your browser — note the dot: it is never 'my-gov' or 'mygov-au'
- Find official ATO contact numbers on ato.gov.au and call the ATO yourself to verify any message or call
- Speak with your registered tax agent if you use one — they can see your real ATO account
Where to report a scam impersonating Australian Taxation Office
Received — or fell for — a message impersonating Australian Taxation Office? Report it. It helps authorities and carriers shut the campaign down for everyone who gets the next one.
- Scamwatch — Report the scam to the ACCC's national scam service.
- ReportCyber — Report cybercrime and financial loss to the police.
- ACMA — Report scam texts and spam SMS or calls.
- Forward to 7226 (SPAM) — Forward the scam SMS to short code 7226 so your carrier can block the source.
- IDCARE — Free identity and cyber support if your details were taken.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ATO send text messages?
Yes, the ATO does send SMS — for example reminders or confirmation codes — under sender IDs like 'ATO' or 'ATOGOV'. But genuine ATO texts never contain links asking you to log in, claim a refund or hand over personal details. Any 'tax refund' link is a scam.
A caller said I'd be arrested today unless I paid my tax debt. Could that be real?
No. Threats of immediate arrest, deportation or police action are always fraudulent. The ATO resolves genuine debts through letters, your myGov inbox and payment plans — and it never demands payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfer. Hang up.
How do I check whether I really have a tax debt or refund?
Type my.gov.au into your browser, log in to your own myGov account and open the linked ATO service — your real balance, refunds and messages are all there. If anything is unclear, call the ATO using a number listed on ato.gov.au, never one from the message.
I entered my myGov details on a fake page. What now?
Change your myGov password immediately by going directly to my.gov.au, and review your sign-in security settings. Then report the scam to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and contact IDCARE for free identity support — myGov credentials can be used for serious identity theft, so act quickly.
Why do tax scams spike around July?
Tax time is when Australians genuinely expect to hear from the ATO about returns and refunds, so refund-themed phishing lands at a believable moment. Treat any message about your tax with extra suspicion between June and October, and always go to myGov directly rather than through a link.
Related scam types
Scams impersonating Australian Taxation Office usually fit one of these patterns. Learn how each works:
Related brands
Other government names scammers impersonate — check a message from one:
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice — always verify with Australian Taxation Office through an official channel.