- Scam
- Suspicious
Beware of calls from 02 6152 8693, linked to a scam involving an impersonator claiming to be from the ATO. Learn how to handle such calls and protect yourself from fraud.
Recognising the Scam: Who is Behind 02 6152 8693?
The phone number 02 6152 8693 has gained notoriety among Australian phone users as a source of scam calls supposedly from a fictitious "Officer Mark Brown" of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Reported by several users, these calls concoct elaborate threats of legal action and arrest over nonexistent tax issues, creating unnecessary alarm.
Understanding the Scam
Victims of the scam often report receiving voice messages or calls asserting they have pending legal actions against them. The callers appeal to fear, insisting that recipients need to contact "Officer Mark Brown" immediately, or risk being charged. Comments suggest an amalgamation of accents is used, including American and a hint of a subcontinental pattern, further indicating the international dimensions of the scam.
Identifying the Warning Signs
- Urgency and Threats: The calls typically create an immediate sense of panic, demanding a prompt return call.
- Pre-recorded Messages: Many report that the messages sound scripted as they fail to include names or any personal detail.
- Nonsensical Claims: Claims about owing large amounts of money dating back decades or needing to handle arrears immediately matter seldom match official communication style.
What to Do if You Receive a Call
If you receive a call from this number, it is crucial to stay calm. Here are steps you should take:
- Do not engage with the caller. Hang up immediately.
- Report the number through platforms like Reverseau or other phoning services to warn others.
- Contact the ATO directly using the official contact channels to verify any claims made.
- Consider blocking the number on your device to prevent further calls.
Conclusion
Given the widespread concerns and documented reports of scams associated with 02 6152 8693, it is classified as a scam-related number. Educating yourself and others about such scams is the first line of defense. Engaging with known sources, such as Reverse Phone Lookup Australia, can help identify suspicious calls and protect yourself from potential fraud.
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What Our Users Reviewed
Officer Mark Brown from ATO called us today- 16 Oct 2015. And asked to call him back on 02 61528693.
SCAM SCAM SCAM.
We are trusted tax agent. Wonder why police have not done anything about this.
Rang & threatened my wife she would be arrested if she did no got straight to the bank & get cash out & then meet them at a post office.
I rang them on the number they left 0261528693, the gutless pricks hang up when I got into them.
Woman called from 0261528693. Sub-continent accent. Addressed me by my first name; said she is from ATO and I would be arrested in 45 minutes. I was relaxed in my responses. She terminated the call, possibly knowing the terror tactic wasn't working. I've noticed missed calls from this number on both mobile and landline recently.
I had same call today... From Mark Brown... When I got suspicious he got very abusive and used some very offensive language.... SCAM SCAM! !
My call came on 6 Oct and was left on my answering machine which I only cleared on 11 Oct. Exact same words as reported with the exact same accent. He did not refer to me by name - obviously had no idea who he was calling - obviously a prerecorded message. No action from me!
I cannot believe the things people will try and do to scam. So annoying/scary/frustrating.
Apparently I owe the ATO money and a lawsuit is going to be filed against me.
They can lick my arse.
I am a tax agent and my client recieved a call from Mark Brown, obviously my client smelled a scam. I called this number and advised him as such. I have also contacted the ATO regarding this and they were aware of this. They advise that the names have changed but the scam is the same.
As I have regular dealings with the ATO, they do not require payment immediately, any request is followed up in writing and you can also request a receipt number for every conversation so that it can be referenced as a record for future use.
Yes Mark Brown called me too and left a message on my ansa phone. He threated legal action if I did not call him which I will not. Sounded a but Canadian to me not so much American, but not easy to say.
I got a call from this number today. Same deal, claiming to be officer Mark Brown from the Australian tax office and saying that I needed to call him before legal action was started and that he couldn't discuss it over the phone. But if I didn't I ran the risk of warrants being issued which he genuinely didn't want to do but I had to ring him back on 02 6152 8693. Sounded like a real scam from a person with a heavily accented voice. (may even have been computer generated.
Had a message from Officer Mark Brown today asking me to call back on 02 6152 8693. Thought it was a scam but called anyway. "Officer Brown" was busy so I spoke with Miley Simpson, who told me I would be arrested for tax fraud, they had supposedly done an audit and Lo and behold I owed the ATO almost $5000 going back to 1990! What a load of rubbish, big scam, told her to send me something in writing, otherwise arrest me as I had nothing to worry about. This prompted her to quickly hang up.
Scam, scam, scam.
I have had a call from the same officer Mark Brown scam scam scam. On the 1/10/15 hopefully I'm not in to much trouble for not ringing him back.
I had the same experience Thursday 1 October 2-15 about 1pm. "Office Mark Brown", with an accent seeming to be a mix of American and some African sounding tone (ie trying to sound American and important")claiming to be from the ATO and claiming I needed to call this number regarding pending legal action, about which he "couldn't leave the details in a phone message". If I didn't call then the legal action would commence.
An 'Officer Mark Brown' called us as well with the same return phone number as above. He had a mysteriously American accent (surprise-surprise!) and asked us to call him back to arrange an appointment otherwise we would be responsible for all further legal action (!). Oddly enough, about half an hour later the same character called again, however this time it appeared to be the exact same message... Certainly recorded etc, as the same intonation, wording etc, etc. Scam, scam, scam...
I had a phone call from a private number yesterday and the person was telling me that I had a legal issue filed against me and I needed to contact officer Mark Brown on 02 61528693 to arrange a face to face appointment.
Smells like a scam!!!