Police Stations in the Lachlan Local Area Command have received a number of enquiries from the public about alleged phone calls from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The caller claims to be from the tax office and states the person owes money. If they do not pay it immediately, a warrant will be signed for their arrest.
“We often see this type of scam pop up at this time of year,” said Senior Constable Daniel Greef, Crime Prevention Officer at the Lachlan Local Area Command. He said the ATO does not operate like this, nor are warrants issued in this way (except in the movies). “We all need to remain vigilant when taking phone calls as scammers have a variety of methods they use.”
If you receive a call from someone claiming they have an arrest warrant and demand you pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. Do not give personal information to anyone on the phone, unless you made the call and the phone number is from a trusted source.
For more information on scams, please check the Scamwatch website: www.scamwatch.gov.au.