- Scam
- Suspicious
- Spam
If you've received a call from 02 6172 0747, be aware that it's a scam impersonating the Australian Taxation Office. Learn how to handle such calls and protect yourself from fraud.
Introduction to 02 6172 0747
The number 02 6172 0747 has recently gained notoriety for being associated with a sophisticated scam masquerading as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Users have reported receiving intimidating automated calls claiming that legal actions are being initiated against them, often accompanied by threats of arrest if they do not respond immediately.
Classification of the Number
Based on numerous user reports, it is clear that this number is part of a fraudulent scheme targeting unsuspecting Australians. The following points outline the key characteristics of the calls made from this number:
- Origin: Many users noted that the international dialling code associated with the number is +261, which is designated for Madagascar. This raises red flags about its legitimacy, especially since ATO employees would communicate with Australian number prefixes.
- Content of Calls: Callers report receiving recorded messages, often in a robotic voice, threatening that "final notices" have been issued by the ATO with dire warnings about legal repercussions.
- User Experiences: Individuals who have engaged with the number typically describe an aggressive and unprofessional demeanor from the callers, who often fail to verify the identity of the people they contact.
Response to Calls from 02 6172 0747
Here’s how to handle calls from this number or similar suspicious contacts:
- Do Not Engage: If you receive a call from 02 6172 0747 / 0261720747, DO NOT call back. Engaging with the caller can lead to further harassment or be used to gather personal information.
- Report the Scam: It’s important to report these calls to the relevant authorities such as Scamwatch and the ATO. They continuously monitor such scams and increasing reports may help them take further action.
- Stay Informed: Familiarise yourself with common scam tactics. The ATO will never initiate contact regarding tax debts via automated call or threaten legal action via phone.
- Utilise Reverseau: If you're ever uncertain about an incoming number, consider using reverse phone lookup services in Australia like Reverseau to determine the legitimacy of the call.
Conclusion
The phone number 02 6172 0747 is associated with a serious scam pretending to be the ATO. The alarming messages used in these scams aim at creating panic and urgency to manipulate individuals into providing personal information or making immediate payments. If you receive such a call, remember to stay calm, do not engage, and report the call. Protect yourself and others by spreading awareness of this deception.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6172 0747!
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What Our Users Reviewed
Left message saying me and my family are under investigation for tax fraud (ato investigation team) rang them back and Indian man asked for details I told him I'm not giving them to him and he hang up on me.
Yet another call from the so-called ATO saying it's my final notice and they will be pressing charges. I just received my refund check a couple of weeks ago, and my accountant says all is clear.
So irritating! Hope no one else calls them back and gives them any personal details!
Poor timing on the scammers part in my case. Just received a refund cheque yesterday. The usual robot voice on +261 720747.
Just had number call me. It's a scam staying they are from the ato.
I've had this number call me on a few separate occasions now. When I called back the number they asked for my name and personal details - I said if they were the ATO they should know my details, since my number would have been displayed on their phone. When questioned they hung up on me.
I have verified the number with the ATO helpline who have since confirmed they are scam artists.
Best thing to do is just to contact local radio stations and post on Facebook.
ATO fraudsters.
I have had a number of automated calls, over the past couple of months. The call threatens that I have legal charges against me and being sued by the Australian Tax Office (and some other, which I could not understand). The phone number given to call back was 261720747 (with please do not ignore this phone call). The automated message has a US accent. I usually hang up.
I've had the call twice now. While I thought it was spam, it's a drag to be threatened. I'm guessing there are people who aren't sure it's spam.
Call from ATO (recorded message) stating they are about to file a case against me. I hung up and blocked the number. Now I wish I had played along and wasted their time. :).
Robot with US accent clamming to be ATO with FINAL notice and threat of law suit.
YEA I just had the same call twice now.
I was like WTF.
And im always getting calls from the Funeral Insurance and all this...
Im glad I looked it up and its a scam!
On my phone the incoming number says its from MADAGASCAR :D.
Same thing - claimed to be ATO and they are going to sue me.... Asked for the name and he gave me "Johnny". He gave after a minute. Always ask for their name!
I got the same shit from this number twice.
Bastard. now they call mobile phone as well.
Got a message in my recorder.. To call 261 720 747 about a case to be filed by ATO to recover losses. I know it is a scam.. They don't even know my name and how informal it is to be notified by a computer generated female voice..lol.
I had a bit of fun with them. Held them on the line for an hour pleading not to arrest me. Now when I call them they have blocked my number!! How rude.
Scam or what ??
Its' a scam.
They seem to be sending out a lot of these calls simultaneously all over the country, given how many people here have entered comments over the past half hour or so. I knew it would be a scam call as other friends had already received it recently & there has been plenty of publicity. Looked up the number on reverse lookup, but got nowhere. Sleazy tactics sending recorded messages in order to con recipients into initiating contact.
Got the same call today. Computer generated female voice saying the ATO was launching court proceedings for outstanding debt recovery.
I didn't call back. If you have issues with ATO then I'd just call the ATO on their normal number.
Got a call from +261 720747.
It is an ATO hoax and the country code is Madagascar (+261).
It is not 02 6172 0747 as some people state.
Prefix '+' means you dial internationally...
Hope this helped.
Had many calls.. Its dodgy as... Not tax office.. We have called the tax office. It is a scam.
Another one of these 5pm Friday. Interested in how they picked up this number, but there's been a lot of mergers particularly with ISPs lately who use off-shore call centers. I'm sure our contact details have been floated off to whoever would pay for them.
Received same call. My concern is that it came through on my landline number which is supposed to be a silent number and I am paying iinet for same !
I got the same call just now.
Checked with my CA, its a scam.
I got this call + voicemail tday to. Super suss!
Same as everyone else. Called back to '02 6172 0747' rather than international '+261 720 747' and it rings out without answering. It caught me for a while though, as I really do have an ATO debt. The ATO calls sometimes, but never without a human voice and associated letter or email.
Just got one of these calls myself, where have they got my mobile number from? That's my concern.
Just got the same call. Wtf.
Same thing. Didn't call back, not th.
Yep! Just received a call from this number a few minutes ago. Block and do not answer!
Had same call from different number yesterday. Guy was abusive and demanded money. Said he was from the ato.
What a load of dip shits... Got this call, SCAMMER! I have never had issues with the 'Taxation Department'...and never will. -_-! Idjits!
ATO scam same number appeared with Robot telling me some crap about ATO launching legal action bla bla bla.
Same here - ATOI scam - didn't call back.
Just to clarify: the phone number rings as +261 720 747 (Madagascar), but appears on the voce mail as +61 2 6172 0747.
Please everyone be aware!
ATO scam. Voicemail received claiming that the ATO is filing law suit against me.
I'm in Adelaide, just got the same call from the same number.
Rang them back an an Indian sounding man answered and identified himself as "Australian Taxation Office".
Rang again a few minutes later and he said, "Hello this is Freddie Mac." or something similar.
On 9/10/15 at 2:42pm, I just missed a call from +61 2 6172 0747 a voicemail message was left. A recorded female voice told me that:
"This call is a final notice from ATO Australian Taxation Office. The reason of this call is to inform you that ATO is filing law suit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number 261 720 747 I repeat 261 720 747".
I haven't and will not be calling them back; I just don't want others to fall for this!
Just got a call from +261720747 (Madagascar according to iPhone) with a robot saying this was my final ATO (presumably meaning Aus Tax Office) warning, asking me to call that number back. Definitely a scam.
Same here... ATO scam.
Yes, I just got a call at 15:36 with a recorded message saying this is a final notice from the ATO, an arrest warrant will be issued if I don't call this number immediately. This comes after 2 separate phone calls from overseas, routed through another Australian number last week. Both from women with Asian accents threatening me with arrest. I reported both to the ATO who said they were passing the info on, then I reported it to the scamwatch site and have just reported this one. I've also blocked all numbers but they just keep coming with different ones. Dirty rotten scoundrels is all I can say!!
Got a phone call from +261720747. it was an automated voice saying that ATO is lodging a case against me.
Notice the number is NOT australian (we are +61 and 2 for sydney) this one is (+261 madagascar according to my iPhone).
Ignored it.