- Suspicious
- Scam
1800 008 540 (1800008540): Contributors report callers impersonating ATO staff requesting TFN, Medicare, and personal identification details with suspicious callback tactics.
Personal Information Scam Reports for 1800 008 540
Two contributors have flagged 1800 008 540 (also written as 1800008540) for serious personal information harvesting activity. The reports describe callers claiming ATO affiliation and systematically requesting sensitive identification details including Tax File Numbers, Medicare numbers, and Notices of Assessment. One contributor specifically noted they obtained this number from the official ATO website before calling, making the fraudulent response particularly concerning.
The caller behaviour across both reports involving 1800008540 indicates coordinated social engineering. One contributor reported the caller claimed she was collecting voice details for identification purposes, adding a layer of psychological manipulation to the information request.
What Callers from 1800 008 540 Request
Contributors describe a systematic approach where the caller requests multiple forms of personal identification in sequence. One contributor reported providing their name, Tax File Number, Medicare number, and Notice of Assessment number before becoming suspicious. The caller then attempted to transfer them to another person and provided 1800 008 540 as a callback number with specific instructions to press 3 then 2.
A second contributor flagged that when called from 1800008540, the woman on the line claimed not to know what information she actually needed, which contradicts the coordinated request pattern described in the first report. This vague approach combined with aggressive personal information requests is a common scam tactic designed to extract details from contributors who feel obligated to help.
Red Flags in These Reports
Several warning signs appear consistently across the 1800 008 540 reports. One contributor mentions the caller stated she was collecting voice details for identification, which is not a legitimate ATO practice. The instruction to press 3 then 2 on callback to 1800008540 is a sophisticated callback scam technique designed to route calls through fraudulent systems. The fact that one contributor obtained this number from the ATO website but received fraudulent responses suggests potential website compromise or a spoofed number mimicking legitimate ATO communications.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 1800 008 540
If 1800 008 540 calls or you call this number:
- Do not: Provide your Tax File Number, Medicare number, bank details, passwords, or personal identification information over the phone
- Do not: Follow callback instructions to press numbers or wait for transfers, even if claimed to be to another department
- Do not: Accept that voice recording claims are legitimate ATO practice
- Do: Hang up immediately if the caller cannot clearly state their purpose or department
- Do: Independently verify any ATO communication by calling the official ATO phone number from their website (not from a number provided by the caller)
- Do: Block 1800008540 in your phone settings to prevent future calls
- Do: Report the number to ACMA and Scamwatch with details of what was requested
How to Report 1800 008 540
If you have experienced contact from 1800 008 540 or 1800008540, report this number through multiple Australian government channels:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - lodges reports with the ACCC and helps warn other Australians
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - regulates telecommunications and can investigate fraudulent numbers
- Services Australia: servicesaustralia.gov.au - if the caller impersonated ATO, report through the official agency
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - if any online compromise is suspected (such as ATO website spoofing)
- Reverseau: Help other Australians by contributing your experience with 1800 008 540 to our community database
When reporting, include the date and time of contact, what personal information was requested, and any specific phrases the caller used. This information helps authorities track organised scam patterns.
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 008 540!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
I got the number off the ATO website. I called this number telling them about a possible scam.
She got all my details, name, TFN number, medicare no. Notice of assessment no. Then wanted me to transfer me to someone else and gave me this number to call back if this number dropped out. I have the number and told me to press 3 then 2. I did a reverse call number instead of talking to them and it said the number was suspicious, so I hung up. She also said it was collecting my voice details.
Woman tried to get personal info and ID, claimed not to know what she needed, definitely a scam, already got too much from me
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 008 540!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Should I ever provide my Tax File Number to someone calling from 1800 008 540?
No. The ATO will never call unsolicited and ask for your Tax File Number, Medicare number, or bank details over the phone. If 1800 008 540 calls claiming to be from the ATO, hang up immediately. To verify any ATO matter, visit ato.gov.au or call the official ATO number listed on their website - never use a number provided by an incoming caller.
What should I do if I already gave personal details to 1800008540?
Contact the ATO immediately on their official number from ato.gov.au to report what happened and what information was compromised. Contact your bank to flag potential fraud risk on your account. You may also lodge a report with Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au). Consider placing a ban or fraud alert with Australian credit reporting agencies if financial information was shared.
Is the instruction to press 3 then 2 on callbacks to 1800 008 540 legitimate?
No. The contributors reporting 1800 008 540 who received these specific callback instructions describe a classic callback scam technique. Legitimate ATO communications do not include complex keypress instructions to reach staff. This is a red flag that the caller is fraudulent.
Why did the caller say they were collecting voice details for identification?
This is a psychological manipulation tactic. The ATO does not collect voice samples for identification over the phone. Contributors reporting 1800008540 were being socially engineered to feel the process was legitimate and official. This claim is designed to make the personal information request seem more procedural and less suspicious.
Can I find 1800 008 540 on the official ATO website?
One contributor specifically mentioned obtaining 1800 008 540 from the ATO website but receiving fraudulent responses when calling. This suggests the number may be spoofed or the website may have been compromised. Always verify numbers independently and never use callback numbers provided by incoming callers. Go directly to ato.gov.au in your browser to find official contact details.
What makes 1800008540 different from other ATO impersonation scams?
This number stands out because it appears to collect multiple forms of identification (TFN, Medicare number, Notice of Assessment) in a single coordinated request, and uses specific callback instructions with keypad sequences. The pattern suggests organised social engineering rather than opportunistic spam, making it particularly dangerous for anyone who mistakenly trusts the ATO impersonation.