By PAUL MILLAR
HEARTLESS scammers are again targeting Geelong West, with the latest fraudster claiming to be from the Tax Office and about to issue a warrant to arrest.
The shysters have reworked their campaign, leaving an intimidating message, saying the resident is under surveillance.
Ian Tucker, 66, a retiree, said he had received a startling message on his phone, when he returned from a day out.
He played the message to the Independent with the caller saying he was from the tax office and that Mr Tucker was being investigated for tax evasion.
The caller said his house was under surveillance and a warrant would be issued for his arrest.
“I was not frightened by it but others might be, it could be intimidating for some people,” Mr Tucker said.
He said he was alerted to scam operators hitting the region’s phones after reading a report in the Independent, where a “tax officer” targeted a pensioner in Geelong West, offering a rebate.
“I’ve been around a bit and I do not appreciate it, people just do not need this type of thing, anybody would wonder what was happening if they had never been in trouble with the police and then they get a call, saying there was a warrant out for their arrest,” Mr Tucker said.
He gave the information to Consumer Affairs to investigate.
The Australian Taxation Office is well aware of the scam and has issued warnings of what to watch out for on its website,
“You are called on either your private home or mobile number by a person claiming to be from the ATO. You are told that due to errors on your tax return, a warrant has been issued for your arrest and the police will be called unless you attend the local post office and make an immediate payment,” the warning said.
Detective Senior Constable Daryl Crosthwaite of the Geelong Criminal Investigation Unit said police were aware of the problem and were investigating.
He warned locals not to give out any information over the telephone.
There have concerns raised around the country about the bogus arrest warnings.
