- Scam
- Suspicious
The phone number 02 6140 3481 has been reported as a scam, impersonating the ATO to threaten legal action. If you receive a call from this number, do not engage and report it immediately.
Understanding the Scam Behind 02 6140 3481
The number 02 6140 3481 / 0261403481 has become notorious among Australian consumers as a phishing scam pretending to be the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Various users have reported receiving recorded messages that threaten legal action, claiming that a lawsuit has been filed against them. Often, the messages are characterised by an American or other non-Australian accents, which immediately raises suspicions about their legitimacy.
The Tactics Used
Scammers calling from this number typically employ high-pressure tactics. The messages often begin with directives like "do not disregard this message," aiming to evoke a sense of urgency. They claim that recipients must either call back immediately or face dire consequences, adding phrases such as "a lawsuit has been filed in your name”
Common Characteristics of the Scam:- Urgency: The messages stress that immediate action is necessary.
- Intimidation: The use of legal terminology and authoritative tones is designed to frighten recipients.
- Unusual accents: Many reviewers noted the use of American or Scottish accents, odd for a legitimate Australian agency.
User Experiences
User reports overwhelmingly categorise this number as a scam. Many individuals have described receiving similar voice messages. In some cases, the reported caller was described as becoming rude or dismissive when challenged. Other users shared their awareness and instinct to ignore these messages, leading them to check online, confirming their suspicions through platforms like Reverseau.
How to Handle Calls from This Number
Receiving a call from 02 6140 3481 / 0261403481 should prompt you to:
- Do Not Engage: Do not return the call or provide any personal information.
- Report It: Notify the Australian Federal Police (AFP) or local authorities about the scam.
- Spread the Word: Inform friends and family to protect them from falling victim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 02 6140 3481 / 0261403481 is part of a broader phishing scheme aimed at intimidating Australians into revealing personal information or making payments through fear of non-existent legal actions. Always approach unknown numbers with caution, and remember that legitimate agencies will not contact you in this manner. By conducting a Reverse Phone Lookup Australia, you can quickly determine if a number is known for scamming individuals, enhancing your security against fraud.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6140 3481!
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What Our Users Reviewed
I received a message on my answering machine when I was at work. My child heard it (as we have an Au pair at home) and freaked out and called me. He has a Scottish accent and spoke with real urgency with the exact same words as written in the other comments. Very worth while telling everyone in your household not to hand out information to anyone over the phone.
Just received the same message as Anne ABOVE - "lawsuit in your name has been filed with the ATO and the Directors of Public Prosecutions" and "do not disregard this message". Scottish male accent.
Received the same message left on Friday on our answerphone, pre recorded American accent saying that there was a law suit taken out against me by Australian tax office, and that I should ring back do not ignore this message.... American accent and use of the word attorney.... How stupid are these people?
Obvious scam. Do not hand over any info.
A legit department will not operate this way.
We received a call from this number today. Did not address anyone (e.g. Mr John Smith) and like other people mentioned, strange accent.
Received call on ansaphone. Clearly a recorded message because it had started before my ansaphone started recording. "...at Canberra. The reason why you are receiving a phone call is because there is a legal lawsuit that has been filed under your name by the Australian Taxations (sic) Office and the Commonwealth Directors of Public Prosecutions. I need you or your (inaudible) attorney to call us back on 02 61403481. I'll repeat the number... Do not disregard this message and call us back immediately. Thank you." American accent. Male. Note use of the term "attorney" as opposed to lawyer or solicitor. Scam.
Might be quite stressful for some people to receive such a message. It's a sign of the times that I immediately called out to the family to have a listen to a great scam message.
I had a call from this number left on my voicemail a few days ago. Angry voice with an indeterminate non-Australian accent. Same content as that noted in other postings - ATO etc. My first reaction was consternation, followed quickly by a good laugh at myself for being so naive as to take it seriously. I'll report this to the AFP in the next few days, as it is a local number, possibly in Fyshwick. Interestingly, many other numbers perpetrating the same scam have been reported, all starting with 6140. To name some: *3485, *3460, *3478, *3463, *3438, *3432, *3464, *3462. Seems rather well organised, these numbers being extensions within some business.
Yes, we just got this same aggressive message on our voicemail machine that a "lawsuit in your name has been filed with the ATO and the Directors of Public Prosecutions" and "do not disregard this message". It was an angry Scottish male accent this time, not American. Ha! I hope they get caught and that no one falls for their idiotic scam.
Yes I too received this call. It was obviously nothing legit, but I called the number which had a most unusual ring tone and no answer. I then punched the number into Google.
Yes got this call today too (Brisbane). Good to check. Sounded like a scam,
I had the same called just now. He was very intense and said a law suit had been filled against me by the ATO and Director of Public Prosecutions. And that I needed to call him right now. I recorded it and am going to pass it on to our local Government agency that handles these things.
Even the ATO would not use an American to call you about an important issue.
It's a recorded message, very funny.
I too had an insistent message purporting to be from the ATO Department of Public Prosecutions. I ignored it as it was an obvious scam.
Yep, it's an obvious dumb scam. Threatening voicemail message asked for a call back. I recognised it as a scam but called back anyway for laughs. They hung up on me.
Thank you, I believe your other comments confirm my gut feeling. I had a message same as previous "do not disregard this message" etc, and realise that a Govt agency would not contact in this manner, rather an official letter in the mail would come. I believe it is scammers. Hopefully you can do something about the calls as I would hate to see any vulnerable person lose money as a result of scammers.
Cheryl.
I got this same call today, left on my message bank. Anyone with legal business is usually reluctant to discuss it with anyone but the specific person, so I figured it was a scam and haven't called back. Checking here because it was possible they'd dialled a wrong number, but it seems it's just a scam.
Extremely Rude American male called stating he was from the ATO headquarters in Canberra and required us or our attorney to urgently return his call as there has been a legal law suit filed in our name by ATO Commonwealth Directors & Public Prosecutions. Told us "do not to disregard this message". My husband called the number knowing full well it had to be a scam & they tried to get him to pay immediately. When he questioned the rude American, he hung up on him...