POLICE are warning members of the public to be aware of a phone scam where the caller claims to be from the Australian Tax Office and demands immediate payment for tax evasion.
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It appears the caller who is male and usually has an Indian or Irish accent claims that there is a debt owed to the Australian Tax Office.
As a result, the caller claims that a warrant has been issued for their arrest and a payment of funds is required in the next 12 hours to prevent further action.
These phone calls have generated considerable anxiety within the community and some people have been close to transferring large amounts of cash.
Sums between $4,000 and $20,000 have been demanded in the phone calls.
The vast majority of phone calls have been to people over the age of 60 so it seems there is a deliberate attempt to target that demographic.
People that receive suspicious phone calls demanding money should contact their local police on 4476 2044 immediately or go to www.scamwatch.gov.au
