Police are issuing a warning for members of the public to be wary of potential phone scammers, coaxing people into purchasing gift cards.
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It comes after Mid North Coast police have received multiple reports from people who have received phone calls from someone claiming to represent of either the Australian Taxation Office or Telstra.
The caller tells the person that they have an outstanding bill or debt, before instructing them to purchase gift cards. The details of the gift cards are then provided to the caller as payment for the outstanding bill.
Police are warning members of the public to be wary of any requests for payment made over the phone and are urging them not to transfer any money or provide sensitive information to people over the phone.
Community members are reminded that the Australian Taxation Office will never –
- threaten you with immediate arrest
- ask you to pay money to receive a refund or payment from us
- ask you to pay a debt via iTunes vouchers, or pre-paid credit card or store gift cards
- ask you to provide personal information, such as your tax file number (TFN) or credit card number, via email or SMS
- ask you to pay money into a personal bank account
- direct you to download files from the internet, or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
Further information can be found at: https://www.ato.gov.au/general/online-services/identity-security/verify-or-report-a-scam/
