- Suspicious
- Scam
The number 02 8518 1291 has been reported as part of an ATO tax evasion scam. Learn how to recognise these fraudulent calls and protect yourself from scams.
Understanding the Scam Behind 02 8518 1291
The phone number 02 8518 1291 / 0285181291 has raised serious concerns among Australian residents, as it has been implicated in a deceptive scheme posing as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Users report receiving threatening messages related to supposed tax evasion, prompting alarms about this fraudulent activity.
What Happened?
Many Australians reported receiving calls or voicemails from this number stating they owed a substantial amount of money to the ATO, sometimes citing figures near $90,000. The callers typically threaten legal action or suggest that victims might face arrest if they don’t respond promptly. Given the alarming nature of the messages, it is no wonder so many have fallen victim to panic and may consider engaging with the callers.
Why This Is a Scam
- High-pressure tactics: The use of fear to compel individuals to return calls or provide personal details is characteristic of scams.
- No legitimate communication: The genuine ATO communicates via official letters, never threatens arrest, and will not cold-call demanding sensitive information like your Tax File Number (TFN).
- Inconsistent messages: Reviewing user experiences reveals strong accents, unprofessional conduct, and mixed-up details that are not typical of official government correspondence.
How to Handle Calls from This Number
If you receive a call from 02 8518 1291:
- Do not engage: Hang up immediately if you feel threatened or pressured.
- Verify with the ATO: Always contact the ATO directly through their official channels if you have concerns about your tax status.
- Report the number: Help protect others by reporting this number to authorities or through Reverseau.
Final Note
As evident from user reports, it is clear that 02 8518 1291 / 0285181291 is a scam number attempting to exploit fear related to taxation. It serves as a crucial reminder to remain vigilant against such fraudulent calls. By staying informed and employing tools like a reverse phone lookup in Australia, you can better protect yourself from these kinds of scams.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8518 1291!
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What Our Users Reviewed
I am getting calls day and night from this number. The last couple of nights it has been 1.30am. They normally hang up before I answer. Tonight though a guy with a strong accent was singing "I can fly" and I could hear others in the background. Don't know who they are or what they want.
02 8518 1247 seems to be their new number... Same fraud.
Yes, this is the Tax Office Audit scam.
I received a call this morning saying to call 02 85181291 stating letters returned undelivered, and that there will be a warrant out for my arrest should I not call them back! After googling this number and realising it is fraud, I was relieved, but tried calling the number out of curiosity and number was engaged and then disconnected?
Spam phone call fishing for information from residents - we are a tax agent, the ATO would NEVER call with such a message and ask you to call back and provide all your personal details!
Just received an "automated voice message" from this number stating I had an outstanding payment amount owing to the ATO and was being taken to court to answer fraud charges. I rang the number back and got hold of a "Michael Stephen" who stated that I had rung the ATO Head Office in Sydney. He wanted my Tax File Number. When I asked him for further details and told him I don't give out my TFN he hung up.
I too received a voice mail on my land saying you will be summoned court order due to tax evasion, asking to call back on 02 8518 1291.
I did not bother calling them back I know this is scam for sure.
Message left on answering machine. Person had strong accent. Message was threatening advising I would be summonsed to court for tax evasion and because I had failed to respond to previous mail.
Recognised message as being very similar to one a colleague at work reported receiving - they were advised message was a fraud.
I had a missed call from this number this morning, when I rang it back a man answered stating he was from the ATO and then hung up????? I then rang the official ATO and they said they had no record or no reason in contacting me. If you receive a call from 02 8518 1291 just hang up, they are fraudsters !!
Got a threatening SMS message claiming to be from ATO.
A quick check on the ATO site shows that the ATO never sends such SMS messages.
Got the voicemail message this morning, got a similar message a year ago. You ring the number and it goes to voicemail and asks you to leave your number and name (so when the scammers wake up they can get in touch with you!).
I received a call stating they were from the ATO. Something about tax avation and fraud.
Called yesterday... He said "im calling from gio.. Sorry ato"!!
Said I owed ninety thousand dollars to ato, and to take a lawyer to the local court house.
So I told him he was one of these sleazy phoneys and he hung up.
Automated voice stating tax evasion left on my answering machine.