By PAUL MILLAR
SCAMMERS are focussing on the Geelong region with heartless fraudsters impersonating police and tax officers to relieve locals of their cash.
The con artists have hit Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula with authorities warning businesses and residents they could be unsuspecting targets.
Local identity Mick Robinson, from Newcomb, said he received two messages on his answering machine from the “Australian Tax office to inform you that legal proceedings against your name will proceed in the next 24 hours.
“A collection officer will call soon to complete paperwork.”
A number was left for him to call, to pay the alleged debt. The Independent called the Sydney number and a man called William with a thick accent said he was from the tax office.
When questioned further by the Independent about a fabricated debt the ATO pretender said he could not help.
A further call brought up the same man, who did not have the ability to transfer the call to the main switchboard.
Mr Robinson’s daughter-in-law from East Geelong also received a demand call from a woman at the “tax office” about an alleged $2000 debt. After she was challenged, the caller hung up.
Mr Robinson said the scam should be exposed as vulnerable locals might be ripped off.
“I’ve reported it to the police and they said they had other calls of a similar nature,” he said.
Police have urged anybody suspicious about cold-callers to contact them.
“They tell the victim they have an outstanding tax debt or that they fraudulently or incorrectly filled out their tax return,” a police spokesman said.
The caller threatens victims with legal action if they do not pay immediately and warns that their phones are tapped and not to call anyone or police would arrest them.
An ATO spokeswoman said the tax office did contact taxpayers about owing money without sending a notice or account summary.
“We will not start any legal action until we have tried various other methods to collect the money, including setting up a payment plan.”
Bellarine Peninsula businesses have also been warned about a scam concerning an alleged Victoria Police website.
Police said the fraudster told potential marks he was looking for businesses to be part of a new police community website.
He asked for $800 to be paid on the day. If they could not afford that he drops the price to a ‘today only special’.
Bellarine Police Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara said that police had not and would never tout for funds.
