- Scam
Beware of calls from 02 6152 8639, a known scam number associated with impersonating Australian Taxation Office officials. Learn how to handle this type of scam call effectively.
Understanding the Threat: 02 6152 8639
The phone number 02 6152 8639 / 0261528639 has made quite a name for itself in recent years, not for good reasons, but rather as a notorious scam telephone number. This specific number is being used by fraudsters who impersonate officials from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), creating alarming scenarios to swindle unsuspecting Australians.
A Look at the Scam
Users who have reported receiving calls from 02 6152 8639 / 0261528639 describe similar experiences: a so-called "ATO officer" reaches out with sensational claims about tax evasion or warrants for arrest. Common names used in these communications include Vincent Matthews and Jennifer Smits, often accompanied by threatening language regarding alleged legal consequences.
The most prevalent type of scam reported involves claims of a warrant for arrest due to supposed tax fraud or overdue payments. Victims are pressured to act fast—often directly requested to transfer money to avoid further legal action. The urgency and aggressive tactics are hallmarks of scam operations aimed at instilling fear and convincing recipients to comply.
How to Handle Calls from This Number
- Do Not Engage: If you receive a call from this number, it’s crucial to avoid engaging with the caller or returning their calls. Scammers rely on your response to further manipulate or intimidate you.
- Stay Informed: Understanding that the ATO will never initiate a call or follow up with threatening voicemails is key. Any legitimate communication regarding taxes will be handled through the mail.
- Report the Scam: If you’ve received a call from 02 6152 8639 / 0261528639, consider reporting it. You can lodge a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
- Use Reverse Phone Lookup Services: If you're unsure about a number, tools like Reverseau can help answer the question "Who called me Australia?" by letting you check the phone number’s history and user reports.
Conclusion
In summary, the phone number 02 6152 8639 / 0261528639 should be considered a scam indicator, utilising tactics that predate on the fears and anxieties of ordinary Australians. Remember to stay alert and educate others, ensuring that this type of scam is derailed before it can catch any more unsuspecting individuals off guard.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6152 8639!
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What Our Users Reviewed
11/8/15 Received a call that was left on my answering machine from Vincent Matthews today.
The message left was that he was Vincent Matthews from "the Australian Tax Office", and I was in receipt of a possible arrest warrant to contact him before I received legal documentation so to call him back on 0261528639. Knowing I had nothing to be guilty about I was a bit sus so I googled his number and this is what I found, I was not the only one.
Missed a call from a Private Number at 4.28pm WA time and message to text message that was left was: "Good morning. This is office of Vincent Matthews with ATO Australian Taxation Office. The reason _." Ran out of time - but it's obviously a scam call. I'll be reporting it to the real ATO.
Yep, got a message from Vincent Matthews, called back and got a wierd dial tone, so then googled. Message was as above, Vincent Matthews from ATO, "the Australian Tax Office", something about pension, an arrest warrant, call back on this number. The only thing I can say is I hope he calls back so I can give him an earful! What scum. I hope no one falls for this... Chances are if they do it will be someone vulnerable who can least afford it!
Same here. I got an unsolicited call from 261528639 allegedly from ATO assessment officer Jennifer Smits (young female asian sounding person). ATO issuing an arrest warrarent & saying I can pay $8990.00 within 1 hour to mitigate the warrant. I even got as far as her giving me a name & address in Queensland to send a Western Union money transfer to, until I called her bluff.
Yes I got a call from a Vincent Mathews saying he was from the ATO and maybe he can stop a warrant for my arrest .
IT WAS ALL RUBBISH AND I DID NOT CALL BACK AS I made a check last time and yes - THIS WAS A SCAM, from a caller call with a worse accent. Doesn, t say a name. Because they do not know who they are calling.
From Sydney 3RD August.
Exactly the same message on my phone today. Pension fraud and of course I receive no pensions!
Received a voicemail message to call Officer Vincent Matthews from the ATO back on 02 6152 8639 due to a Warrant that they have issued for my arrest. Though they didn't say who the warrant was for or why it was issued.
Had a call from this number today where a message was left on my answering machine. Supposedly from the ATO and was something to do with pension fraud. It did sound a little more genuine than one received a couple of months ago by a guy with a ludicrous accent and a ridiculous storyline. Ignore all these types of calls or report them as scams.
The same message as above was left on my answering machine today. The fellow has an accent and didn't say who he wanted to speak to just left the phone number. REMEMBER 'the ATO does NOT call or leave messages'. Ignore all calls like this.
This is NOT a landline. It is a Skype VOIP range, and this (and many other numbers in the 86xx range) have been used for Tax scams (caller says he is from the ATO, and is an "officer", and that there is an issue/bad things/court case pending etc, and suggests you call back. Apparently if you do talk to him the suggestion is to send them money to get the court case cancelled or else). Scammer.