A south-west resident is urging others to be on alert against a phone scam circulating the area.
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Port Fairy’s Kaye Sharp received a phone call on Tuesday morning and it’s not the first time she has received calls purporting to be from the Australian Tax Office.
Ms Sharp wasn’t fooled by the scam, but is fearful for older people or the more vulnerable who might be taken in.
“It’s a worry for old people who might believe it’s real,” she said.
“It’s a recorded voice so you can’t answer back to it and they are threatening to execute a warrant for your arrest.”
Ms Sharp said she reported the scam to local police. The scam is also listed on www.scamwatch.gov.au
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) estimates more than $1 million was lost to tax scams across the nation in the first half of this year alone.
The ACCC said the scams come in many guises but generally claim that people have underpaid their taxes and are required to repay the tax debt immediately or face repercussions such as arrest.
“Tax scammers are particularly aggressive so many people feel pressured to pay quickly without questioning them. The most threatening scammers even say that police are on their way to arrest you but can be stopped if you pay immediately,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.
The Australian Tax Office said it would never cold call about a debt, would never threaten jail or arrest, and staff would not behave in an aggressive manner. People not sure about a phone call are urged to hang up and call the ATO back on 1800 008 540.