Wyndham residents are being warned not to fall victim to a telephone scam in which criminals claim to be from the Australian Tax Office.
Scammers call numbers at random and tell whoever answers there is a warrant out for their arrest.
They spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that the intended victims had failed to pay taxes. They then threaten legal action unless the victims pay fines.
The scammers typically ask for the money to be sent via wire transfer and may ask for the victims’ financial and other personal details to access their money and also use this information to commit other scams.
Senior Constable Kellie Innes, of Wyndham police, said a number of Wyndham residents had fallen for the scam and she urged anyone who had to phone local police.
“This type of crime can have a massive effect on the financial and emotional wellbeing of the victim,” she said.
Senior Constable Innes said the federal government’s Scamwatch site also had tips on how to avoid becoming a victim, including contacting the ATO to verify the call.
The website also advises people to never send money via a wire transfer to anyone they do not know or trust and to never give out personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless they initiated the call.
To report scams, call 133 795 995.
