This is a scam - DO NOT CALL THEM BACK - the ATO need to not only be informed but they also need to do something about this and investigate further as many people including seniors may be a victim of these blood suckers.

Caller of jubious mixed international accents, on a wavering phone line.... advising he is from the ATO and that a case of tax evasion and tax fraud has been opened against ....does not identify himself by name, quotes a casefile number, but does not ask to speak to a specific person, does not quote tax file numbers - there is nothing identifying who he wants to talk to. He says that we should ring (02) 9119 2978 as soon as possible as this is very serious and time sensitive, and if he doesn't hear from us soon we will face criminal repercussions.....then ends the call by saying " Have a pleasant day". The ATO advises that they do not call anyone by telephone. Bloody scammers.

I am trying to report this number to Telstra to get it blocked or disabled. Lets see if they can do it.

Total scam was smarter gave them a heap of false info , they sounded so pleased that they got me, dumb asses.

Got the same call on Message Bank, but mine after threatening Criminal action, finished with 'Have a nice day!' Doubt the two go together but his manners seem to be improving!

i have had several messages left saying he was james appleton from the ato saying that there has a complaint about our name for tax avasion and fraud and if we dont ring back they will issue a warrant for our arrest.so sick of them

This number and male caller left a 'follow on' message on my answering machine - purporting to be calling from the ATO in relation to Tax Evasion and charges that would be served. I have received two previous calls - left on my answering machine - one day apart approximately 3 weeks ago - leaving a phone number and reading a scripted message that was obviously designed for an American audience. The call has number appearing on my phone is (02) 9119 2978. Terminology included 'court house', 'police department' with a please call and sort it out whilst it can be stopped. Tonight's 'follow on' message used a different script - words to the effect that they had previously left messages and phone numbers which I had ignored and now I was going to be charged. This is obviously a scam but not a random one - they are following up and sounding as 'real as possible' knowing which people and numbers are ignoring their messages. For many people, this sort of calling and message would be frightening. Tell the bastards nothing. This is a scam.

I just want to add to the above complaints. As I have received the same call and unfortunately took it seriously for a while until the stupid guy asked me which bank do I bank with and how far is it from home. Then I asked why do u want to know which bank. In the mean time I asked my partner to ring the police and we were told that it is a scam. But thank the Lord Jesus the Incarnated Sin of Gid that I discovered their hopeless acam. Max

Just had a call from this number. Caller had an accent and said he was from the ATO and that I'd be sued for tax evasion. When I challenged him, he hung up.

Have had 4 calls in 2 days to my answer machine - how do I stop it? Tried picking up but you are only speaking to recorded message. Have now turned off answer machine so that it is a dead end for them and hope it works.

My wife got a call at her work from a guy with an Indian accent claiming he was from the ATO and said we were under investigation for tax fraud and all our assets would be frozen if we didn't do what he requested. We reported this to ATO . Today I got a call from this number. As soon as I answered the guy (again with an Indian accent) said he was from the ATO and I just said bye bye and hung up. I then rang the number back and asked the guy where was he from and he said "Indi"a and then hung up. I had a good laugh.

Yes I just got the same phone call. A recorded message in a slightly Russian accent telling me to phone (02) 9119 2978. They claimed to be the ATO and that I owed money.

Strange techno male accent on bad phone line advising that he had opened a case against us for tax evasion and tax fraud. Told to call (02) 9119 2978 or be prepared to face legal and serious consequences. Pathetic attempt at a scam but sharing to hope people don't fall for it.

Scammer claiming to to be ATO.

SCAM Give them no information. Do Not Ring Them Back. They rang 5 times in one day. Very persistant. I know someone who unfortunately fell for this scam - an elderly couple. They had to cancel all there bank accounts/ cards etc. Wish something could be done to stop these scammers. :-(

I also got one of these calls this morning. Beware.

REAL ATO TAX reporting phone number 1800 008 540 Report it as well

These people are the dregs of society. They target the innocent and elderly, I don't think you could sink much lower. I encourage all of you to do what I do. Purchase an old fashioned whistle and hit them right in the middle of their rubbish threat. I've done it, and it is soooo satisfying 😊

Of course it's a scam. As if any professional company would leave a message like this. But the sad thing is, that these dregs of society are targeting the elderly. Do what I do. Have a whistle next to your phone & once you realise it's a scam, blow their eardrums out!

Yes, this number is a scam. I called it back and threatened to call the police on them and they immediately hung up.