02 6100 3008: ATO Scam Alert - Beware of Fake Tax Calls

Got exactly same voice message. And the number is 0280050995. John Smith. Scam.

Had this happen on a work phone. Lucky enough this was here and we new it was a scam! Looks like they are starting on Queensland!

Yes got the exact same message on Saturday as well... From 02 6100 3910. Definitely a scam.

Yes this is a scam.

We get these silly robo-calls all the time. They are too stupid to be of concern, but I'm surprised those responsible aren't in jail yet - it must be easy to find out who is behind the calls.

I too received a call from 02 6100 3078 leaving a voicemail message in a digital recorded voice that said....

"This message is from Australian Taxation Office calling for you. The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive. So the very second you receive this message I need you to leave your work aside and dial the number to the ATO Tax Crime Division. The number is 0261003079. Repeat. The number is 0261003008. This is Officer John Smith and I am working with ATO Tax Crime Division. Now, if you fail to return the call or in case if I don't hear from your attorney either, then the only thing which I can do is wish you a good luck as the situation unfolds on you.".

I'll run it past my solicitor and get his thoughts.

Thanks for posting these comments, I just received this scam call to my mobile and it's nice to go online and see it's a scam right away. I think they're calling people randomly to obtain names and tax file numbers.

The number I was told to return was 0261003995 - exact same recorded message as above - rang the real ato - definitely a poorly run scam.

From freakin South Asian Accent Staff saying they are from ATO and forced me to pay my tax right away or go to court. Very pushy and convincing and when I said I couldn't pay my tax they just hang up.

Same thing from 0390056909.

Same thing from 0261004345 and 0261761819.

Same message from 02 6100 3069.

Same message as several others. Like from ATO Crime division, time sensitive and drop everything and call this number.

Same thing:

"This message is from Australian Taxation Office calling for you. The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive. So the very second you receive this message I need you to leave your work aside and dial the number to the ATO Tax Crime Division. The number is 0261003008. Repeat. The number is 0261003008. This is Officer John Smith and I am working with ATO Tax Crime Division. Now, if you fail to return the call or in case if I don't hear from your attorney either, then the only thing which I can do is wish you a good luck as the situation unfolds on you.".

Won't even bother my accountant with it. Obviously a scam.

I just got a call from this number too and I couldn't recall the number that recorded voice mentioned, so I called the number I got call from instantly, a guy picked up with indian accent saying its ato and asked my name. I said and told me to wait and hung up.

I tried several times and line stayed busy.

I checked ato onlinefrom my. Gov, no message in my inbox. So I went to the tax accountant and asked for tax crine number and they said it is definitely a scam cause if there were any problem with my tax retun, they should get informed 1st.

The question is how they got our numbers, did anyone without returning tax got the call? If not then these guys got numbers who retuned the tax only. Then our info might get compromised.

Who you guys tax returned with? I did with H&R Block.

Yep. I got the call today. I just presume someone from the ATO (whom I just dealt with) is selling phone numbers to this scam artist(s). Or it's someone within the ATO with access to the phone numbers of people having tax problems doing the scam.

Yep, we just got this exact same message on our answering machine. Pretty obvious, badly done scam! Try a bit harder next time eh boys...

Yes, I got this exact same message from John Smith..... The number he called from was 02 6100 3024. SCAM!!!!

Was anyone else doing their tax lodgement when they received this call? I have been doing mine online via etax.... Maybe that is how he got my number?

David, that is same message I received on my voicemail. I thought it was fake, however thank god for this site where people like yourself can leave comments.

I got exactly the same call today. They asked me to pay monies by Debit or Credit Card immediately over the phone "to avoid further action"! They were extremely aggressive & rude, obviously trying to apply scare tactics! Police must investigate these dreadful people. I'm sure they've bluffed innocent people into paying money to them.

As with many others here, I received a call early this morning from this number and this was left in my voicemail:

"This message is from Australian Taxation Office calling for you. The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive. So the very second you receive this message I need you to leave your work aside and dial the number to the ATO Tax Crime Division. The number is 0261003008. Repeat. The number is 0261003008. This is Officer John Smith and I am working with ATO Tax Crime Division. Now, if you fail to return the call or in case if I don't hear from your attorney either, then the only thing which I can do is wish you a good luck as the situation unfolds on you.".

Everything about this is fake. Especially the generic name and poor choice of words. The text-to-speech software used to create this is also really poor quality. ATO would obviously not do anything remotely like this.

I also received a call from 02 6100 3006 yesterday, but no message was left. I don't think it is a coincidence with the similar numbers... I have since blocked both of these numbers.

I had received the same information which is mentioned above the John Smith ATOC etc American voice message, contact Attorney etc..

I would have thought if it was the ATO they would at least leave a reference number.

Received a recorded voice message from "John Smith" at the ATO. I was suspicious that they didn't leave a case number or any details to quote. Had a feeling it was a scam. Called the number. Rather than give my details I said, "you called me, shouldn't you know my name". The guy replied, "oh, no need to call again" and hung up. A very alarming scam. I hope no one falls for this.

Just got the same, which wished me good luck if I didn't return the call, did as Told, and itjust hung up. John SMith ........ REALLY... Tried to report to the police, but they are not answering. Ha ha Anyhow, I think it is a scam .

Scam! Received a call from a automated voice, told me to call this number. So obviously a scam it was laughable!

Just got the same scam voicemail pretending to be from ATO.

Just keep ringing the number and abusing them, I am lmao.

Just had a call from this number what a joke tosser.

This call/ message claims to be the ATO and threats of dire consequences will happen if the call isn't returned.

Same recorded American voice from Tax office etc.... Almost called back but thought better of it!

Just got the same thing, said I owed 3.1k for Tax miscalculations since 2008-2012... was quite rude as I started to really question him... Then I called him out on him rudeness and he simply said "We will see you in court then" and hung up.

Good thing I didn't hand over any details, although he did have my name & number, which makes me want to re-think my privacy!

COMPLETE SCAM!!!! He was claiming to be John from the Australian Tax office, said I would go to court if I didn't pay the debt over the phone. BEWARE!!!!

Same, Don't answer or call back.

Received call claiming from ATO.

Same situation. I picked up the phone got a recorded message - american accent - telling me to 'put all work aside' and call the ATO and speak with John Smith who investigates tax crimes or some other baloney.

Don't even call back.

This is a scam - said I've purposefully mislead the ATO with my tax return and I need to pay $1800 over the phone or I'd be fined $50k.

When I asked for his ATO email address and ID, as well as mentioning I'd call my accountant, he hung up.

I called the ATO an they verified that is indeed a scam.

JuSt got call from this number stating John from ATO and left number to call back...

Just got a call from this number with a funnily threatening voice. He left voice mail this time, unlike the other guy who almost scammed me imposting as Immigration offical.

I got the weird agent John Smith message and just called them back. Also trying to claim I owe $3.5k in tax and as soon as I said I had a good accountant do my taxes and that I was a sole trader and did not earn enough to even owe that much and that I'd like to see on paper exactly what the fraud claim was so I could it analyse it against my tax history, I was mysteriously cut off. Its also strange that they found a random email address that I used to collate my wedding communications back in 2013. I do not nor have I ever used that email for my taxes. Clearly a scam.

I too have received a call at my office... AGENT John Smith from ASIO crime division. Absolute scam!

I got a call too. ATO, it was important.

The Computer Text-To-Speech voice.

Fml. Scammers can't even talk to me in person anymore :(.

Definitely spam. I got the same call, and called them back. They asked for my mobile number, which I did not give them, and they hang up on me. Be very careful who you give your information to.

Just had this call - and I work in an MP's office...

I just got a call from this number. The guy was threatening me if I hang up phone he would charge me 50K.

I also received a call from the same automated voice, saying he was "Agent John Smith" from the ATO. The voice went on to tell me how important it was to call back on 02 6100 3008. It is pretty obvious to me that it is a scam. Best to just ignore it, do not call back or give any information.

This number called me 25th August 2015 with a very convincing scarcity style argument that I was about to be arrested unless I pay $3.5k over the phone with a credit or debit card. Something about a Tax Crime being downloaded to the commonwealth court and going to prison for 5 years. I called him up on being a scammer and he got really frustrated and said he'd see me in court. Pffft. What assholes these guys are. Ignore the call from this number, it's just a very well prepared attempt on scamming people.

Beware these fraud calls. Just got a call now from this number, recorded message with a US voice saying it was the ATO and I needed to contact the crime division immediately and that if I didn't there would be very bad consequences. My accountant called the number back and got an Indian call centre.

SCAM phone number with automated message saying call them for ASIO tax crime.

Yes, I also received a call. Again same details as others. As soon as I went into having my accountant involved and wanted the paperwork sent to the address that the ATO would have on file - we were cut off.

How do they know all details about those they call?

What is the police doing about this?

Just got a voice message from john smith. I think this man is creating his own bad karma, big time.

Just got a call minute before. Yes they are totally fraud. Please disconnect phone when they say "agent from ATO".

Got the same scam call today.

25/08/15 1:50pm. Likewise with everyone else, I received a phone call from ATO from a computer generated voice named Officer Jon Smith.0261003008.

I too just received a phone call from computerised voice telling me they are from ATO crime Division, his name was John Smith and that I need to call back. First thing I did was enter number into Google search and came across this forum. Thank goodness I am not the only one!

Just got a call from the same Hawking-esq like automated voice, saying he was "Agent John Smith" from the ATO. The voice went on to tell me how important it was to call him back on 02 6100 3008. I let the call finish, and will ignore it except for posting here.

Received a phone call, which was blank. Called the number back, was told it was an 'agent' from the Australian Tax Office, he quoted a badge number, and that I had 'committed tax fraud' on my tax returns from 2008-2012 and owed a sum of money. Spouted a whole lot of legalese.

By a happy coincidence my phone cut off the call (or he did maybe?), I've since spoken to the ATO, who said they always contact in writing first, they do not quote badge numbers (these do not exist), and they have had many enquiries about these kind of calls.

If you get a call, hang up, it is a scam.

I had a call from someone claiming to be from the ATO Crime Division. He told me to get a pen and paper and write down my Case ID, his name ("Agent Tom Black") and his contact phone number (which was the number I had called). He then started in with all this legalese and I interrupted him, saying that I wanted to speak with my accountant before proceeding to make sure I had audit insurance in place (in case it was about an audit). I said I'd call him back in 15 minutes. He said 'you do realise I'm from the Crime Division?' and I said yes, that's why I want to speak to my accountant first. He hung up!

I called the ATO just to make absolutely sure there were no issues with my business, and they told me they have had a lot of complaints recently... Someone is using the ATO logo and sending out emails, making phone calls and threatening people. The ATO rep told me she'd had an old lady in tears to her on the phone after being pushed around by these people. They are cruel and are after your credit card number and other personal identification information. HANG UP! Or, get as much information about the person calling you as possible and report them... If they want payment for a so-called tax bill, don't give them your credit care number - ask for their bank details and then report them to the ATO.

I received a call a while ago - an automated message to call back to the number as I had a default on my tax .

Just checked with ATO. Definitely a Spam.

Wanker left message on my phone as well, not knowing that I am in the ATO in Canberra... shouldn't be too hard to trace a John Smith lol.

I just got the same "stephen hawking-esque" recorded message too... Sounds pretty dodgy... doesn't even pronounce ATO correctly!

I just reported this to the ATO. Definitely a scam.

Got same problem as others have said. Computer voice. Wished me good luck if I didn't call them back.

I just called back the number and got some guy laughing at the ATO.

Just got the same call left on my message bank from them with the same dribble.

I had the same experience as above. They called last week - I missed the call, but no voice mail was left - and this week I picked up and heard the message.

I got a recorded message from "John" at ASIO Tax crime division & threatened that if I didn't call back on this number that I would have to suffer the consequences!

Also received a call from an Indian speaking person saying they were from the ATO and that I owed a debt of $2700 from 2008-2012 that was apparently fraudulent and legal proceedings would occur after I hung up the call. Checked with Police and ATO definite scam.

Just got the same call, 'john smith' from the ATO Crime Division... scam..

Same - Computed generated voice claiming to be 'John Smith' from the ATO Tax Crime Division.

Just received the same call from the 'John Smith' ATO Crime Division. Absolute scam, in an American voice recording telling me to stop work and call immediately. Do not answer!

Just gotta a call from John Smith, Australian Tax Crime authority asking for a call back. Is it a Scam?

Just received voice message to call back Ato. Total Scam.

This is a scam call purporting to be from ATO Tax Crime Division. Got a voice message from John Smith this morning from this number. A Robert called yesterday, he got angry and sweary when I tried to question where he was from.

Received a message from this number to call John Smith from ASIO. Needless to say I didn't respond.

They called me as well. Used an automated voice recording saying that I needed to stop work and call them "the second I received this voice message". Needless to say, I didn't.

Yep just had a call from Agent Tom Black who told me they had a "legal case against my name".

When I asked for further prof he was from ATO he said that if I didn't trust him he didn't want to talk with me and hung up!!

Same, just had a call 20 minutes ago...

Yep we received a call from John Smith [very original] from the ATO stating the contact nubmer is 02 6100 3008.

This is the new number the pretend to be ATO scammers try to use. Yesterday they called me on the 02 6100 3006 and this morning from this new one.