It is nearing Christmas and sadly one of the annual occurrences is the scam phone calls.
I had one of those ATO scam phone calls from 02 6172 0554.
It was a recording claiming my family and I are being prosecuted by the ATO and requiring me to call a number which I didn’t catch.
It is of course a scam and will be reported.
When I websearched the number, I was astounded to find reports that people were still falling for the scam and handing over itunes, google and bunnings cards or similar.
Card sellers are now usually warning anyone who attempts to buy bulk cards and one shop assistant reported just last week that a distressed woman in hospital uniform rushed into the store while speaking on the phone and attempted to purchase over $1000 in Google cards. The shop assistant tried to tell her it was a scam but the woman would not listen as she was too engrossed in her phone conversation. The shop assistant then very responsibly refused to sell to her. The distressed woman, then rushed from the store looking for another outlet.
This is a list of numbers listed on the net as those allegedly used by scammers:
02 6216 1111
02 6216 1112
02 6216 1113
02 6216 1114
02 6216 1115
02 6216 1116
02 6216 1117
02 6216 1118
02 6216 1119
02 6216 1113
02 6172 1219
02 6064 2061
02 6064 2097
08 9467 4183
03 9015 4046
061 3 5294 0418
You can also any communication that you aren’t sure about by phoning the ATO from 8.00am-6.00pm, Monday to Friday on:
– Individuals 13 28 61
– Businesses 13 28 66
– Tax Professionals 13 72 86
- General 1800 008 540
For examples of the latest scams, tips for staying safe online and a list of current communication activities the ATO are undertaking, you can visit ato.gov.au/onlinesecurity
If you have accidentally submitted personally identifiable information to a scammer then please contact the relevant institution (e.g. your bank) to deal with your personal situation.
