ATO Adds In-App Call Verification to Stop Scams

Why It Matters

The instant verification reduces the success rate of tax‑related impersonation scams, protecting revenue and public confidence, while establishing a digital‑security benchmark for tax agencies worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• ATO app now verifies calls within 30 seconds.
• Feature part of $187M (≈$123M USD) fraud program.
• July 2025 saw 7,500 impersonation scam reports.
• In-app verification shifts burden to taxpayers.
• Tool outpaces NZ IRD's manual call verification.

Pulse Analysis

Scam calls targeting taxpayers have surged worldwide, and Australia is no exception. The ATO’s new in‑app verification leverages push‑notification technology to give users a real‑time check on any alleged ATO call, cutting the window for fraudsters to exploit trust. Integrated into the agency’s broader $187 million Counter Fraud Program, the feature reflects a shift toward proactive, technology‑driven defenses rather than relying solely on public awareness campaigns.

The Australian approach contrasts with neighboring New Zealand’s IRD, which still depends on manual call confirmation despite deploying two‑step verification for account logins. By pairing the verify‑call function with the myID digital identity platform—an app‑based credential that works offline and abroad—the ATO offers a security layer that rivals, and in some respects exceeds, traditional multifactor authentication. This alignment of call verification with a robust digital ID underscores a growing trend among tax authorities to consolidate identity assurance across multiple interaction points.

For businesses and fintech providers, the ATO’s move signals a new baseline for compliance and customer protection. As impersonation reports climb ahead of the 2025‑26 filing season, agencies that adopt similar in‑app safeguards can expect lower fraud losses and higher taxpayer confidence. The feature also creates opportunities for third‑party security vendors to integrate with government APIs, potentially spawning a market for standardized verification services across jurisdictions.