ATO Phone Scam

[rusty_nail]

Got home today to be greeted by an obvious scam message purportedly from the ATO. A very threatening Indian lady claiming I had committed a fraud and owed the Taxation Department a considerable sum of money, threatening me with immediate arrest and all sorts of dire consequences if I ignored the message and did not call her back immediately.
The number wasn't hidden and she repeated the number at least four times in the message.

Well usually I like to play games with these people and annoy them so much that I end up on their 'do not call' register. I didn't get home till after 5pm but rang them straight back to be greeted by a voice message, no mention of the ATO etc. just a request to leave a message. Looks like they have public service hours in common with the ATO.

So onto the iPad, found a Bible reading that went for over two hours and rang them back, played them 30mins of Bible readings which I hoped would fill up their answering service. After that gave them 15mins and then played 30mins of Fart noises, amazing what you can find on the net. (my phone plans includes unlimited calls).

Maybe childish BUT I was annoyed I didn't get to speak to them direct. That will happen tomorrow!

I'm not condoning this but if anyone gets a call from 02 8317 3564 feel free to annoy the crap out of them. Would be damn funny if everyone on the forum rang them tomorrow and overwhelmed their call centre. You can hide your number easily, 1831 for Telstra land lines.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-19/ato-phone-scam-warning-in-canberra-with-victims-losing-$100k/7097404

ima give em a phone call this morning mate! what a terrible thing. i do like your bible reading thing though thats pretty damm good

[rusty_nail]

Have you thought about the possibility that they want you to call the premium rate telephone number that they've provided so that your phone bill sky rockets, and they pick up the value that way? There are a few scams like this in the UK

that number is just a regular sydney number mate, no premium phone calls to that line =D

[rusty_nail]

aww bugger, that number is engaged at the moment =( ill try it later

[Clunk]

that number is just a regular sydney number mate, no premium phone calls to that line =D

Thats what it looks like on the surface lol

[jack]

Thats what it looks like on the surface lol

It's located in Canberra, I tried them four times yesterday and always engaged. Must be busy calling people and only limited lines. Either that or they have some way of identifying private numbers and not answering them.

All rather disappointing, BUT today is another day.
I'm going fishing now so will try them later.

[jack]

Well no fish but after several attempts I finally got through to the ATO.
I started to explain how I was confused with their message and they asked me what my number was. Told them I didn't know as I don't ring myself, they must have it as they rang me. This went on for a while, all the while I was getting more and more confused which didn't impress them (not surprisingly).
After about five minutes I told them I thought I must have dialled the wrong number - ignorant pricks hung up on me. When I called them back it was engaged.
Well being persistent I had the iPad ready and rang them this evening, first call rang out. Second call went to answering service, but alas looks like their voice mail is full. Aparanently the system has exceed their voice mail limit.
How sad.

[macca]

Anonymous just rang again, I know its his name because it comes up on the phones screen.
He is a really nice bloke and rings most days about 12.30 ish while I'm having a bite to eat.
Common to all his calls, after I greet him real nice because he might be a customer, is a delay and he always has some deal for me... really thoughtful.
Today I saw it was him again and thought I would make his day, so I answered " Australian Federal Police, how can I help you" and he hung up!
Pity his number was hidden as I would call him to put his mind at rest.
NOT BLOODY LIKELY haha

[Touses]

You're a nasty, nasty man macca. Love it keep up the good work! bahahaha

[macca]

You're a nasty, nasty man macca. Love it keep up the good work! bahahaha

They are good sports putting up with me and ringing back all the time