Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is urging Australians to utilise the ATO app’s new ‘Verify Call’ feature as a real-time safeguard against fraudulent or suspicious callers.
CA ANZ’s Australian Tax Leader, Susan Franks, said the organisation strongly supports the new Verify Call feature, available through the ATO app, noting that impersonation scams remain one of the most common and damaging forms of fraud targeting Australians.
“Phone scams continue to catch people off guard. We strongly support the Verify Call feature because it empowers Australians to check instantly, while still on the call, whether they’re speaking with a real ATO official,” Ms Franks said.
“A quick check can prevent both financial loss and the emotional distress that often follows a successful scam.”
Verify Call allows users to confirm a caller’s identity in seconds. Australians simply open the ATO app, log in, select Verify Call and follow the prompts. Ms Franks said anyone unable to verify a call should hang up immediately and report it to the ATO’s scam line on 1800 008 540.
In December 2025 alone, the ATO received 1,767 reports of impersonation scams, including phone-based attempts.
“Fraudsters rely on urgency, confusion and pressure. Registering your device and using these features helps Australians slow things down, check what’s real, and stay protected.”
Verify Call complements existing safeguards in the ATO app, including real time alerts when key details change on a person’s ATO account, and the ability to immediately lock their ATO account if they suspect unauthorised activity.
These features can act as an early warning that someone else may be attempting to access or alter sensitive information, allowing individuals to act quickly if something doesn’t look right.
About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents more than 140,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action.
www.charteredaccountantsanz.com
For more information contact:
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AUSTRALIA Owen Roberts, Public Affairs Specialist Australia M +61 422 644 847 owen.roberts@charteredaccountantsanz.com
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