Ignore tax office message

“Ignore it and don’t reply to the ‘phone number listed” was the comforting advice from police to a Warragul woman after receiving a threatening call left on her message bank.

Audrey said the call was made to her fixed line home telephone service and purported to be by, or on behalf of, the Australian Taxation Office.

She said the message stated a legal case had been mounted and a warrant issued for her arrest.

An internet search of the number to call to reply – (02) 80069496 - revealed many complaints about receiving identical messages.

Audrey said the tone of the message was “threatening and intimidating” and she sought some advice from Warragul police.

She said she’d never before received scam calls and was concerned that some people, especially the elderly, might be duped. It said she needed to call back urgently.