Be Warned! Another ATO Scam Hits Toowoomba

Police are again receiving reports of Scams targeting Toowoomba.   The latest Scam involves victims receiving a telephone call from a person claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office advising the person called that they have a large tax debt outstanding.

The caller then directs the victim to go to a supermarket wheren they need to purchase a large amount of pre-paid cards.  Thye are the asked to provide the ID numbers of the cards to the caller for them to redeem.

The caller also warns the victim that if they do not pay the police would be involved and they will be arrested.

Unfortunately, in one instance the victim panicked and did as the scammer requested.

Information directly from the ATO website states that the ATO would never request the payment of a tax debt via gift or pre-paid cards.

Nor will the ATO ask for direct credit to be paid to a personal bank account. If the person calling you is rude and aggressive, threatening police or legal action if you do not do something immediately – it’s not the ATO.

Toowoomba Police wish to remind residents to remain vigilant with all Scam phone calls and emails.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.