- Scam
- Suspicious
Received a call from 02 8317 3355? Beware – this number is part of an ATO scam threatening individuals with arrest over tax fraud. Learn how to handle calls from this number safely.
Identifying the Threat: 02 8317 3355
The phone number 02 8317 3355 has been reported by multiple users as part of a scam impersonating the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Callers often present themselves as 'Mark Brown,' claiming to be a senior investigator from the ATO, and threaten individuals with legal action and potential arrest for fraudulent activities. This alarming tactic is designed to instill fear, prompting unsuspecting victims to return calls or divulge personal information.
The Nature of the Scam
Based on user feedback, the modus operandi of this scam includes:
- Claiming there are criminal allegations against the victim.
- Threatening arrest warrants if the individual fails to call back promptly.
- Presenting a false sense of legitimacy by using specific language related to tax investigations.
- Leaving intimidation-laden messages, often demanding immediate response.
These calls typically go out to random individuals across Australia, with reports of users from Melbourne, Perth, and Queensland all experiencing similar tactics. The urgency and authority projected by the scammer is calculated to elicit fear.
How to Handle Such Calls
If you receive a call from 02 8317 3355 or a similar sounding number:
- Do Not Engage: Simply ignore the call. The ATO will not contact individuals through such intimidation tactics.
- Do Not Call Back: Engaging with the scammer could further expose you to fraud. Reports suggest that when calls are returned, they often result in further scams or charges.
- Verify with ATO: If you are genuinely concerned about your taxes, visit the official ATO website or contact them directly via official channels.
- Report the Scam: Notify the ATO and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of these scams to help prevent further victimization of others.
Conclusion
It's crucial to stay informed and cautious regarding unsolicited calls like the one from 02 8317 3355. Remember, the ATO would not employ these tactics to address tax matters. By leveraging Reverseau or the Reverse Phone Lookup Australia tool, you can identify suspicious calls before they lead to potential scams. Stay safe and alert!
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What Our Users Reviewed
Also rang ato reported it and they are passing it on to federal police....... Thing is if they are giving this phone number how on earth are they getting you to send money.
Same as others on there but now more phone calls and more threatening.
Received a call from a guy, (don't remember his name), who said he was from the Taxation Office and that I was being investigated for not paying some tax. He didn't ask my name, I knew it had to be a fraud so I hung up immediately.
Wife just rang saying she recd a call from the ATO looking for me over a fraud they are investigating. "The police know about it", she was told. They are looking for me and I am to ring this No - 02 8317 3355.
I'm not going to. The ATO would not ever speak to another person other than the tax payer or the registered tax agent.
Same message from ATO, Mark Brown with threat of arrest over tax fraud if did not call beck immediately - I was pretty comical but I hope no one vulnerable has taken this seriously.
It's a scam. Said it was the ATO and I had 4 charges against me and to ring or they'll get the police to arrest me. Apparently there are lines set up so that if you call they get paid a cash amount. I assume it is one of those and they are making money off the return calls. Don't call back!
Had a message on answer phone from Mark Brown senior investergator had 4 criminal charges against me (didn't use my name) to call back on above number or else could have warrant out for my arrest. So I use Google to see if a scam and found out it was. He didn't even speak English. So I won't be returning his call. Im in WA.
Received the same message on my voice mail. I tried to call back but the call is disconnected straight away! No Fun!
I received a call from this number telling me that the ATO was about to take me to court. Is this a scam?
Yes, said his name was Mark Brown, Senior Investigator for ATO - had to ring back immediately. I have to call or they will send Police to my door to arrest me as there are criminal allegations against my name.
I am in Perth.
Got a call form this number. A 'Mark Brown', investigation officer from ATO, left a message with claims there a cases with criminal investigations against us. He wants us to ring if not there could be an arrest warrant.
Had a spammer like this before. Exactly the same but this time they got smarter and said ATO making it sound Australian.
Came back today from Melbourne to WA and found a message on my machine with caller urging me to ring this number, citing legal action if I did not call back straight away. I have had one of these type of calls once before and suspected it was a Scam and so I googled the number and found all the previous comments about it being a scam. So I did not call.
I urge all who get a call from this number to ignore it.
I am in qld and mark brown left message on my answering machine very rude and intimidating threatening me with police saying he was senior investigator for ato fraud dept if you get call from this person report immediately to ato.
ATO scam number DO NOT ANSWER IT.
This is the ATO scam number DO NOT ANSWER IT.
Same as the above comments except we are in Melbourne, so they have obviously run out of victims in W.A.
Yes, said his name was Mark Brown, Senior Investigator for ATO - had to ring back immediately.
When tried to ring back number engaged.
Have the whole message on my answer machine.
Another ato tax scam claiming a warrant for my arrest.