SCAMMERS have stepped up an aggressive campaign to con money out of the Border’s taxpayers.
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Financial advisers Crowe Horwath have issued an alert about an increase in residents reporting calls, messages and emails from the scammers claiming to be from wither the Australian Tax Office or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Tax specialist Marcus Davis said those targeted were asked for details, including tax file numbers and payment details.
“These scammers are aggressively threatening people with arrest, lawsuits and further legal action unless they comply with requests to settle a bogus tax office debt,” Mr Davis said.
“The scammers sound quite legitimate and are providing a return phone number or website link for their victims to provide payment.
They are also being quite aggressive and threatening.”
Wagga police said they had received several reports this week of a similar scam.
The caller asks people to transfer money, or use a “Load & Go” card at a post office to send money.
Some people have been threatened with arrest if they do not comply.
The tax office never contacts people by SMS or email.
It usually sends notice or an account summary to a taxpayer before it collects amounts legitimately owed.
Legal action it not part of the process until various collection methods, including payment plans, have been tried.
Crowe Horwath has issued a list on how to spot a scam, including the use of unsolicited calls or voicemails and calls when the victim has no prior knowledge or warning of a tax debt.
The caller may ask for personal information, including birth dates, address, bank or card details and tax file number.
Other signs include the speaker using a threatening or intimidating manner, and a call-back number that does not begin with the prefix 13.
If you have any doubts, do not supply any personal information and do not make payments or open electronic links or attachments in emails.
Calls from scammers can be reported to the police, tax office or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.