THE vulnerable and elderly are among those targeted in a frightening new scam.
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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and police have warned the public to be aware of scams where fraudsters intimidate people into paying a fake tax debt over the phone.
Bed-ridden Gezina Kolder was shaken to her core when she received the abrupt and intimidating message on the phone.
The 95-year-old RSL Remembrance Village resident was told she would “go to court” if she failed to immediately pay her debts.
This left her extremely anxious.
“I was very worried I was going to receive a heavy fine,” Ms Kolder said from her bed.
“My first thought was ‘how am I going to pay for this?’”
Scamwatch have reported the call as a nation-wide trend, with most people reporting hearing message on their answering machines asking them to call back.
The number, (02) 6100 3027 has no connection to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions or ATO.
“There is a possible warrant out for your arrest,” the voice-mail message said.
Assistant commissioner Thomas Ryan said that the ATO would never intimidate taxpayers in such a threatening and demeaning manner.
“We take your privacy seriously. We urge you to be alert to these types of scams and never send money or give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust,” Mr Ryan said.
Ms Kolder immediately rung her son who researched it online and told her it was a scam. “I’m very lucky that I had him,” Ms Kolder said.
Mr Ryan said if people feared they were the victim of a scam they should attempt to find out the callers contact details and call the ATO immediately.
“If people receive a call from the ATO and are concerned about providing their personal information over the phone, they should ask for the caller’s name and phone them back through the ATO’s switchboard.”
Ms Kolder warned other people not to be intimidated by the call and to immediately contact someone if they were concerned.
“Don’t worry. It seems to happen to a lot of people. When I found out I was very relieved.”