- Scam
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The phone number 02 6152 8612 has been reported as a scam, impersonating the Australian Tax Office (ATO). This article provides insights on how to identify the scam and what steps to take if you receive a call from this number.
Understanding the Scam Behind 02 6152 8612
The phone number 02 6152 8612 / 0261528612 is currently known for its fraudulent activity, posing as the Australian Tax Office (ATO). A multitude of user reports describe voicemail messages claiming that callers are from the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions, threatening recipients with arrest due to alleged tax issues. The nature of these calls has led them to be classified as a scam.
Characteristics of the Scam
Individuals who received calls from this number reported alarming automated messages falsely stating that their homes were being monitored due to suspected tax evasion. These messages often include phrases like "there is a warrant out for your arrest" and demand immediate action, preying on the fears of unsuspecting victims.
- Common Themes: The messages typically involve demands for payment to avoid arrest, vague references to tax law violations, and threats of legal consequences without any prior official correspondence.
- Auditory Cues: Many recipients noted broken and confusing sentences in the recordings, which further manoeuvre the listener into a panicked state.
- Calls from Foreign Accents: Reports highlight that representatives often employ foreign accents, contributing to the suspicion that these calls originate from outside Australia.
- Reactions from Victims: Many individuals reported distress and fear, indicating the significant emotional impact these scams can impose, especially on vulnerable populations.
What Should You Do If You Receive a Call?
If you encounter a call from 02 6152 8612 / 0261528612 or a similar number, it is critical to refrain from engaging with the caller. Here are some steps to take:
- If you receive a voicemail, do not respond to the number provided; instead, verify any claims directly with the official ATO contact numbers found on their official website.
- Do not provide personal information or make payments to unknown callers.
- Consider reporting the incident to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or local law enforcement to assist in combating these scams.
- Use services like Reverseau for a Reverse Phone Lookup in Australia to gather more information on suspicious numbers.
It is crucial to remain vigilant against such scams and to share your experiences, helping others to avoid falling victim to similar tactics. Should you encounter ongoing or additional suspicious activity, consider seeking the advice of professionals in cybersecurity or contacting local authorities.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6152 8612!
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What Our Users Reviewed
Scam ATO recording.
We also have received this spam message. Victoria.
Been on holidays and returned today to find a message on the answering machine stating there is a warrant out as we have tax evasion. To call back the number 02 6152 8612.
I believe this is a spam message.
Our telephone number is 03 5941 7886.
I just need an address where the call originated from.
I just received a call from these guys. An Indian sounding man called 'Matty Johns' lol. I gave them a fake name and phone number and they proceeded to tell me that I had a warrant out for my arrest for tax evasion/fraud. I let him go on for a while before informing him that I had given hima fake name and number. There was silence from his end then he hung up on me. Guess the scammers don't like being scammed!!!
Did anyone receive this message on their voicemail? I just got it then.
"This is an automated system generated message from CDBP. The commonwealth directors of public prosecutions on behalf of ATO, Australian Taxation Office. The reason you are getting a call from our department is because we are in the receipt of a permission note along with an arrest warrant to be executed against your name on account of fraudulent renewed tax filing. Your address registered with us is under surveillance as our attempts to notice you by a registered letter have returned unsigned. Now before the case gets downloaded into the commonwealth court house of the alternate rates and you receive a legal course of notifications, please give us a call on our hotline number. The number is 02 6152 8612. I repeat the number is 02 6152 8612 and we shall be happy to help you. Thank You.".
From the ATO's website - [link].
Example 2.
You are called on either your private home or mobile number by a person claiming to be from the ATO. You are told that due to ’errors’ on your tax return, a warrant has been issued for your arrest and the police will be called unless you attend the local post office and make an immediate payment. A variation of this scam asks you to purchase a ‘Load and Go’ card.
Key indicators of this scam:
Cold calling (unsolicited call).
You are advised that there is a warrant for your arrest.
The callers use an aggressive tone.
You are asked to make a payment without having received any prior advice or correspondence from the ATO.
You are asked to make a payment without being provided with a personal payment slip.
Just found said message on my answering machine. First action was to Google ato cdpp 0261528612, pretty sure it was a scam, now I know it was.
Same for us today in Perth, by the way, ATO never called me for a late payment or anything, they send you letters!!!
Scam or hoax call talking about tax fraud or failure to pay tax - cant hear which department they are from, sketchy detail about addresses, failure to reply to mail requests etc - this one had an Irish accent - leaves a hotline number that doesn't answer but enables the receiver to get to here.
Same scam line. AT0 fraud, arrest warrant call this number. I note a similar number has been used - ending in 8615.
Yes I too was called today and the same message was left on my answering machine. It did not name who was wanted for arrest or fraud in paying taxes etc, but it did give me a heck of a fright as I have an anxiety disorder and this did not start my day well at all. This message has broken intervals in several places, these scams should be stopped they might cause someone serious harm like a heart attack!
All of the above entries are exactly as I was contacted. Very intimidating, Foreign accent with a "caucasian" name was 1st clue. As above in hindsight broken sentences with slight interuptions. Threatening arrest, was under surveillance, Bank accts & passport would be frozen, claims to be from CDPP for ATO wanting CASH $4986 to be deposited in an account with C'wealth bank the account number would be phoned to me when I got to said bank with money. I am not feeble minded & work in a security/forensic occupation & it still took 12 hrs for me to click. Luckily my phone call came after banks had closed for the day & was expected to carry out the transfer the next day. Call to ATO was all I needed to confirm the scam.
DO NOT be INTIMIDATED by these threats. The actual phone number does come up until you answer or take a "message" which gives the number.
Same thing as above just happened to my elderly Mum. Luckily I was with her because she got really upset and believed she was going to be arrested. Scumbags that are running these scams don't give a damn how it can scare vulnerable people like my mum. So angry!!!!
Had the same number call our business line and left several recorded messages, about an arrest warrant out for us due to failure to pay tax etc. When I called and said we were up to date with everything they hung up on me and I tried calling back but get a busy signal.
I have had the same recorded message by a male person with what sounded like an South African accent. They claimed that they were from the CDPP. They claimed they were calling on behalf of The ATO and there was an warrant for my arrest for several fraud charges. I rang that number and pretended to be very scared when I said that I had no money I was cut off! I rang the ATO and they assured me that it was a scam! I also reported it to my local police station and when a police officer rang that number there was no answer! I have had that number blocked by Telstra. IT IS A SCAM!
SCAM: These guys left a message saying they were from ATO and there was a warrant out for "no one in particular" however unsaid person was wanted from our address.
Message appeared to be in broken computer structured sentences and is relying on people to become fearful of a non existent unpaid tax or unawares tax evasion and for the unsuspecting person to call this number.
Do not believe this type of message. If in doubt ring only authorised Australian Tax Office numbers found on the A.T.O website to check authenticity.
Hopefully someone is looking into crushing these scammers.
SCAM: These guys left a message saying they were from ATO and there was a warrant out for "no one in particular" however unsaid person was wanted from our address.
Message appeared to be in broken computer structured sentences and is relying on people to become fearful of a non existent unpaid tax or unawares tax evasion and for the unsuspecting person to call this number.
Do not believe this type of message. If in doubt ring only authorised Australian Tax Office numbers found on the A.T.O website to check authenticity.
Hopefully someone is looking into crushing these scammers.
I received a phone message at work from the above number on the same lines as the above person, from the get go I though something was strange about the message and it didn't sound automotive to me.
Posing as ATO. Obviously a scam.
Had a message left on my answering machine from this number. It says it was from Commonwealth Dept of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Australian Tax Office. It stated that my home is being monitored and there is a warrant out for my arrest due to unpaid taxes. And to call them for help. This is clearly a scam.