How to save time ringing the ATO

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has launched voice authentication.

The ATO receives around 8 million calls per year from the community – for about 75% of these calls the caller needs to verify their identity.

Now, when you ring the ATO, you’ll be given the choice to record a short ‘voiceprint’ that can be used to verify your identity for future calls. This aims to provide a more secure, and much more convenient, call experience.

A voiceprint is a digital representation of the sound, rhythm, physical characteristics and patterns in a voice.

‘In the last fortnight, over 30,000 Australians have already chosen to use our voice verification technology. It is a more efficient and secure service to the community,’ Second Commissioner Geoff Leeper said.

‘For people who call us regularly, voice verification will speed up the authentication process and cut the time they need to spend on the phone to the ATO.’

The added layer of voice authentication security will help to deter, prevent and detect identity theft.

Further information on the ATO’s voice-authentication technology can be found on ato.gov.au.