02 6145 2529: Scam Alert - ATO Legal Threats

This scam is still going on... I got 2 messages left on my home phone... Sorry but I'm not falling for this, I hope no one has.

Yes received this call and it was a hoax - do not ring back - don't answer.

Got that message today and was worried, thanks to everyone for commenting, I can now breathe easier, but when I did call back, straight away, they answered and told me to call back Monday during business hours, I should have known, haven't got thru to a government dept in my life that quick it's always a hour wait to talk to someone.

Received a message on the answering machine going on about the ATO, Warrants, Returned Legal Documents Unopened, All sorts of reprocusions, if help was needed ring (0261452529) Totally befuddled, ring I did and instantly I was transported to the world of Indian CALL CENTRE.

This idiot really should attempt to learn English.

I can't understand how these crayfish (All meat in the body and shit in the head) haven't been apprehended by the appropriate authorities. There just scumbags creating trauma to everyone they contact and deserve to be put away.

Yes my Dad just had a message of the same nature regarding legal action/ prosecution on behalf of the ATO and claiming that they had made attempts to notify him with documents. It requested to be called back on (02)61452529. This was a little confusing because Dad has an accountant that would normally deal with such things. I am glad I googled it and found this thread, as it sounds different to the usual 'you have inherited money' scam.

Received this message on our answering machine, has my wife worried it was a mistake and some poor bugger was going to get into trouble because it was a wrong number. Would love to track down these losers and give them a damn good hiding. Don't be fooled by them they are just gutless little bastards. If karma exists they will get theirs eventually.

Have had a message left on my answering machine saying about the ato, makes me so angry, knowing it is a scam of some sort unfortunately a lot of people will be worried stupid having received this message, I will be reporting this to who ever I need to, these people are a waste of space .

I received a message asking me to call the ATO office on 0261452529, the message said I has going have legal action launched against me, well that sounded a little distressing, but I know the ATO would send a letter before ringing clients. Don't be fooled.

Thanks for comments, we just had these fools ring. Idiots need to get a life, too much spare time on their hands.

Just retrieved the same message left on our answering machine... Annoying time wasters. Don't let the bastards' get under your guard.

Thank you so much to all that have left their comments I have been stressing out over this voice mail that this guy left and the only reason I have looked up the number is because I have called it 20 times and I just get a busy signal. Now that I have read all your comments I can relax. I knew I personally didn't have any issues with the ATO but then started wondering if it was identity theft etc..

Just received a message. Very sus. Will report to Telstra.

Just had the same call as all of you guys on my answering machine. Seriously I wish these people would rack off.. I might answer next time, just for fun!!! ;).

Same as other reported comments - someone purporting to be from The Office of Prosecutions. I won't bother calling their hotline.

In Melb. Twice on Sat 2 MAY received voice mail messages about not being able reach me. There were undelivered papers from ATO and a pending prosecution case by the ATO and CDDP will include my name. However the caller was not under the jurisdiction of local, state or national laws. Ring this number for pre-trail advice. He spoke extremely quickly with a strange American accent. Could be Phillipino.

I have had two messages left on my answering machine. They were definitely two different messages and two different voices. I will not respond to either. My experience has been the same as everyone else.

I have just recieved 2 call on my answer phone the same as all above comments I called the number and the person answering the phone answered ATO then asked me what time it was from the number I was calling I then aaked gim who this was he then became rude and I hung up... Indian acent scammer I think.

I rang back on the number. I can confirm it was an overseas number by the admission of the "gentleman" who answered and he said don't call back and quickly hung up. Definitely suss.

I echo all of the below comments. A pre-recorded message was left on my voicemail advising that that the "Office of Public Presecutions", acting on behalf of the ATO, intends to file a law suit in my name (which is never referenced). Absolute rubbish.

Keeps calling here too. Same guy every time.

He knew our surname. When I asked for the first name of the person he was after he disconnected.

He called back again a few days later and was told this number would be traced. He then hung up.

Then he left a message with his number, claimed that ATO paperwork had gone "undelivered". Also claimed that he didn't answer to local, state or federal law.

He has now also contacted family members and started the same spiel with them from the beginning (which means they've hacked people's contact lists and are going through them).

Yeah - same call. Twice now - once in person when I told him he ought to take up a career as a comedian - and the other a message left on the answering machine. Just ignore or string them along and waste their time (and money).

My mother got the same call threatening her that if she didn't call the hot line she will be arrested. I called the number and asked who he was and he responded by asking for my name and number (to which I refused) and he said I would be arrested and he finally said his name was Officer Peters from the ATO. He eventually hung up after I called him a scanner and a crock and threatened him that I will be reporting this number to the ATO. I believe it is a 100% scan. He had a Indian accent and the call came from overseas as it was a different dial tone.

We've had the same thing, had my mother in tears, We have reported him/them.

Do not freak out if you have him/them threaten to have the police come to your house, these are all fear-tactics.

Same call same message with above comments.

I just had a the same call threatening legal action and no name was used and all paperwork had failed to reach us. I'm thinking definite scam.

I have also just received a call stating the number above. I believe it to be a scam as no person named. My call was clear and recorded on my answering machine. I have not called the number.

I also received the same number but have not called- I will be contacting ATO first not the number they gave me. They don't use your name either - pre recorded message.

I believe this is a scam - there is no personal details given in the call, the caller refers to things in generalised term and in poor English.

First part of conversation not recorded on answering machine. Threatened legal proceedings but did not give my name or a clients name. Attempts to notify via legal paperwork failed. There was a reference to the ATO. This was a hotline but the phone line had lots of interference so it sounded like it was overseas and rang out.