AppleblossomSenior Contributor
Beware Current Tax Scam
Today 2 phone messages were left on my answering machine, from a Sydney no. ostensibly from the ATO. I replied and was accused of intentional fraud against the government and that if I hung up my case would be referred straight to court and a policeman would arrest me. Appaulled and shocked I enquired for which returns and was told from years 2000-15 and that the amount was $5000.00.
It was weird and I tried to deal with it but was transferred to a senior "officer", with accusations of immediate arrest. When I enquired which dept they were calling from the became aggressively stating bla bla bla from the ATO, but honestly could not understand them through the accent, when I asked to repeat I was accused of pretending that I did not understand, after I persisted a while, he told me was from the "audit" dept in Martin Place Sydney. It was very harrassing and intimidating and though they used the concept that I had to follow "govt protocol", I kept thinking "but that wouldnt be legal ... not even the tax office can do that."
I said "I worked in 300 Collins St for the ATO." and mentioned the word scam but ... they were pretty brazen and kept up with "dont dare hang up" and then "get a criminal lawyer" and "policeman will come to my home to arrest me" and it will be "in the news".
He then outlined protocol:
1) stay on phone and online
2) Confidentiality ... not to tell a 3rd party
3) was going to tell me Bank account no where I could deposit the 5 grand and then be done with it and the tax office would wipe my debt ... but strangely ... he said he had frozen my accounts and hung up.
Not a good start to my day. I had to go out, but the cops did not arrive at my door.
I went to 2 health appointments as planned.
The psychologist thought it was hilarious and a scam . .. I was relieved to talk to her but still was a bit shaken.
The osteo had also received similar messages on her practise phone line. She was a bit worried, but spoke to her accountant who said had good faith in ... and said well they come and arrest me .. there's nothing else I can do ... but I am not going to put money into account under those conditions.
One of the delightful legacies I received from parents' MI diagnoses ... is that I am analytical LONG before I am paranoid ... and I am analytical about paranoia ... and lived my life through truth and courage as guiding principals.
I might joke that I am paranoid ... and I did feel it when I smoked dope 30 years ago ... but I am actually too down to earth to be paranoid ... and I am not a chicken ... have lived life to the hilt.
So not paranoid ... but less trusting in a big bad world. I am finally old enough to know when someone is pulling a swifty on me.
When I worked at tax .. I also had to follow up dumping in the harbour schemes ... but it was a long time ago ... so I wasnt totally sure about new protocols since the internet etc ...
Anyway ... fear and paranoia ... may have a logical reason .. in my EXPERIENCE ... they ALWAYS do ... it is important to discriminate and not lump it all together.
Cheers Apple
Have a good day
Gotta cook dinner for the boy
