- Suspicious
- Scam
- Uncertain
Beware of 02 6140 3431! This number has been reported by users as a scam posing as the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Discover how to handle calls from this number and protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
Identifying the Scam: 02 6140 3431
The number 02 6140 3431 / 0261403431 has raised considerable concern among Australian callers, primarily due to its persistent claims of association with the Australian Tax Office (ATO). User reports indicate that this number is a known scam that utilizes fear tactics to prompt immediate action from unsuspecting individuals.
User Experiences and Analysis
Reports dating back to 2015 indicate a consistent pattern of deception. Many users specifically mentioned receiving calls from someone claiming to be from the legal department of the ATO, often with an Indian accent. Common themes among the calls include:
- Threatening Behaviour: Several users have reported being threatened with arrest and criminal charges if immediate payment is not made to the supposed ATO representative.
- Late Night Calls: Calls have been reported at unusual hours, prompting disbelief about the authenticity of the outreach – a sign often indicative of a scam.
- No Legitimate Follow-Up: Callbacks to this number typically lead to unanswered calls or further deceitful claims, with users noting background noise akin to call centres.
Understanding the Scam Tactics
Scammers often utilise various technologies to create a convincing facade. Notably, users have shared experiences where the scammers leave deceptive messages, leveraging timely fear appeals that could lead to compromised personal information. Such tactics include:
- Caller ID Spoofing: Scam calls may appear as reliable numbers on caller IDs, creating a false sense of security for the receiver.
- Manipulative Messaging: Scammers craft messages designed to shock, such as threats of arrest, which are typically not standard practice from the ATO or legal authorities.
Recommended Actions
If you encounter a call from 02 6140 3431 / 0261403431, here are the recommended steps:
- Hang Up: If you receive a call, it is best to hang up without engaging.
- Do Not Give Personal Information: Never disclose any personal or financial information over the phone, particularly if you feel pressured.
- Report the Call: It is crucial to report any suspicious calls to the relevant authorities, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the real ATO for verification.
- Use Reverse Phone Lookup: If you’re unsure about a number, tools like Reverseau can help determine the legitimacy of automated calls.
In summary, 02 6140 3431 / 0261403431 is part of a larger scam operation posing as official ATO communication. Stay vigilant, and educate others to help prevent falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6140 3431!
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What Our Users Reviewed
I have been receiving numerous calls from this number both on my land line and my mobile. They leave a message on my answering machine and voice mail saying that it is not a marketing call. One of the other calls was a women saying that she was from ATO, but her voice was very faint and hard to hear what she was saying. I have not and will continue to not answer this phone number.
Received call today, I hung up as soon as it mentioned ATO. Saw a story on the news about this recently and when you call back the number & they say they are the ATO, they are not. They have some sort of technology that allows them to stay on the line after you have hung up to call the ATO etc. Then when you go to make the call, the technology allows for the normal dial tone to be present but they then connect you to their own phones and pretend to be ATO etc. Thereby giving you a false sense that you are speaking to the ATO etc but are not. That is how they get you to provide your personal information. Hang up, report them and never give out any personal information over the phone.
One of my clients received this call and I phoned back for them. Its a scam - ATO do not initiate court action without a LOT of previous letters and contact. Police do not get involved with ATO actions - civil not criminal matter.
ATO are aware of it. Best action, hang up immediately and ignore any follow up calls.
It's a threatening scam claiming from ATO, block it and report.
Got a message from this number saying I have criminal charges and that my lawyer or myself need to call back but when I called back the number wouldn't work. A pretty threatening message that I don't think the real ato would leave im guessing this is a scam. Will ring ato apartment later.
Had a call from this number yesterday. As it looked different I muted it but no one spoke & hung up. I rang the number today & an Indian accent voice answered with 'this is the Australian Tax Office'I never spoke just hung up. There was a lot of background noise.
Claimed to be from the Australian tax office. When I called back there was nothing. This is a scam.
100% a telephone scam. Claims to be from the police/ATO but doesn't make any sense. If you're unsure hang up and call the ATO yourself.
Claimed to be from the ATO, saying they were sueing us. If we didn't pay him (ATO) he would call the police, and they would be around in 30mins to arrest us.
My mother was very frighted!
I got a call and rang back but there was no pick up or message probably a scam number.
Where else can these calls be reported to?
I received a call from a man with an Indian accent today at 11am from this number claiming to be from the ATO... Told him to call back as my husband was busy, I asked for his number to call back on but he refused..
I also get same problem from this number.
Got a call from this number on Saturday morning.
Let it go to voicemail. Message left was an Indian sounding man claiming to be from legal department of ATO.
You could say I was highly sceptical.
This # called twice @ 1.37am & 1.40am today 4th September 2015. Both calls were picked up by my answering service & did not leave a message. Information passed to me by others has this # as scammers pretending to be from the ATO... At 1.40am I think not! But if they are I hope they are getting paid double time for working so late... Go away you Dick heads, the call never even came through my phone & why would you call Australia at 1.40am... Oh DOH!!!
Claims to be ATO. Why is it not being traced.