Called twice today. Say they have sent registered mail about a tax avoidance charge and then tell you to ring a telephone number. Obvious scam.

Threatening and aggressive message left on the machine - same details as others, saying will be charged for tax fraud. Ring number immediately or will be arrested, have etc.. Reported to Police.

All had call re ato

got a call from that number. they were saying that they were the police and they were saying that I was under arrest for no reason

Same message on answer machine. Rang back. Was told it was ATO and had been sent 2 letters by registered post with no answer therefore, threatened with jail, seizure of bank accounts, lose of house, unless paid 10g now. Rang husband on mobile asked about any registered post in the last month (I'd been in hospital for the previous 2 months). Husband said no. Man from 'apparrant' ATO then got really really stroppy and gave me the ultimatum - pay the 10g now or find a really good lawyer as the police would be at my door to arrest me within 45 minutes and above assets would be frozen. Realised it was a scam, confirmed my apparerent case file number, warrant ID, his, I assume, fake name and badge number - hi Sam Watson - 61625 - if you are monitoring this and took the option of being arrested. 24 hours later I'm still waiting.

However, I also reported all of the above to the Police and the 'real' ATO Fraud Dept. now I just enjoy ringing the fake number every now or then just to have some fun. The only thing that concerns me about that is this number appears to have been reported previously and is still in action. Let's hope no one actually gets caught out.

Ps I did not give then any details they already did not know. They knew the number - they rang it. No matter what, please do not give out TFN or Bank details, or even worse, pay what they are asking.

2 'digitised' voice mail messages left on my phone claiming to be from the Department of public prosecutions on behalf of the Tax office. Same story as everyone else. I have contacted the Tax Office and they have confirmed that they are not attempting to contact me for anything. They have taken the details to record this as a scam.

I also had 2 messages on landline saying was ATO. Must be a scam & I never received a letter via registered post as asserted therefore could not have been returned

3 calls in 2 days 2 calls from overseas and 1a private number.They left same msg on answer m/c...ATO ,police,legal action etc
Very upsetting.

Scam... I have called them back 10 times and i will keep abusing them until number is closed off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same as everyone else. Saying will be charged for tax fraud. Ring number immediately or will be arrested, etc. It is disgusting that these type of calls are not followed up by the authorities and is terribly frightening to a lot of people. What low life these people are!!

I had a laugh today and rang the number. They know your name from your phone number, but give a false name and say they are from the litigation department when repeatedly pushed to identify themselves. They refuse to speak with you about the matter unless you verify who you are, and they will not provide any ABN or tax file number for which there appears to be an issue. I refused to give them anything and had a great time playing with "David Cooper". He couldn't cope and eventually hung up. The call lasted 6 minutes so I was able to have my fun. So obviously a scam given he kept trying to talk over the top of me (what government department allows that!?). With any luck they won't try and call my number again! :)

Same message about tax avoidance and imminent arrest . Get you lawyer to ring this hotline immediately. I got so scared, so I gave them all my credit card details and internet passwords. :-) The mans first language is obviously not english. Scum!

Obvious scam, foreign male caller with a Canadian/Indian accent left message to call this number before possible prosecution and arrest by the ato.

Several calls now over several days. Isn't there something the authorities or Police can do to shut these scam operators down?

they rang me 3 times on the landline at work and each time there was silence. then they left a message on my answering machine threatening me with arrest for tax avoidance and to call this number. I did. Was constantly engaged then I got through but there was complete silence again. They scared the sh*t out of me and disrupted my whole work day. Nearly had a frigging heart attack.

Received a call from the same number regarding tax avoidance and threat of seizure. Judging by the other comments, this is an obvious scam and needs to be reported ASAP.

ATO related scam re prosecution if not make immediate payment of $5k.

Reported to ATO.

I've just had a two phone calls from this number in the space of two days. They are just hanging up. These two calls must be related to another call I had three days ago regarding tax fraud scam from the ATO. I will be passing on this number to the authorities.

Claiming to be the TAO, said they will have Police to come around and collect the non-existent debt. when said to deal with my accountant told that ATO only deals with clients direct now - obvious scam.

two days have had calls both different numbers both scams