Jason O’Connor ATO tax scam hits the northern beaches as retirees turn the tables on fraudsters

A  KILLARNEY Heights retired couple have turned the tables on a would-be scammer, leaving him with no option but to hang up in frustration.

A  KILLARNEY Heights retired couple have turned the tables on a would-be scammer, leaving him with no option but to hang up in frustration.

In a menacing voice, the conman called using the frequently used pseudonym Jason O’Connor from the Australian Taxation Office, and said police would arrest the concerned husband and wife if they did not call back.

But Michael and Anne Egan knew too much to be swindled. The 76-year-old retired teachers, who have been targeted unsuccessfully by phone and email scammers before, said they wanted to warn others “complicated and aggressive” scams like this were circulating the peninsula.

“These things can’t be left undone, we have got to let someone know it is happening and help other older people who may otherwise fall for it,” Mr Egan said.

The latest drama came on Monday when they missed two calls on Monday then another on Tuesday morning.

Michael and Anne Egan received a number of phone calls from someone claiming to be the Australian Taxation Office. Picture: Braden Fastier.

Scammers have been targeting the northern beaches. Picture: Supplied.

Voice messages were left from a man with a strong accent who threatened legal action. But the savvy pensioners called police and tax authorities and then contacted the Manly Daily to help.

They are part of a growing number of seniors fighting back against swindlers on the northern beaches.

And while experts say the pensioner pushback is due to increased awareness, they are encouraging people to remain alert and suspicious.

Mrs Egan called the scammers back, but her confident tone had the thieves baffled, so they hung up.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said more people were fighting back. “The best defence is to be aware of the scams,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

Fraud is still a big issue, with 226 Australians handing over $1.2 million to tax fraudsters.

The ATO has also moved to quash the latest scam, believed to be run from crime syndicates overseas.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Graham Whyte said the ATO makes thousands of calls to taxpayers a week, but there are some key differences to the scammers

“We would never cold call you about a debt,” he said.

“If you’re not sure, hang up and call us back on 1800 008 540.”

THE CALLS:

Phone scams are hitting the northern beaches.

THREE    voicemails were left on the Egans’ landline claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office.

They all had the same general tone. The last one was at 8.47am on Tuesday.

It said: “Just to inform you that there has been a lawsuit filed against your name concerning tax evasion and this case is about to get executed in to the Commonwealth courthouse of your directory.

“So before the case goes wrong against you, or before the police officers from the local police department will approach you at your place and issue a warrant for your arrest, kindly call us back on our call-back number which is (omitted by the Manly Daily).

“I repeat my telephone number again which is (omitted).

“Again this is Jason O’Connor from the Australian Taxation Office. Thank you and have a wonderful day.”

The couple called the Manly Daily, which helped arm them with the necessary tools for a call back.

At 12.21pm on Tuesday, Anne Egan dialled the number.

A man with a thick accent answered, he said: “Thank you for calling Australian Taxation Office how can I help you?

Anne: “Oh, I am a bit shaken.”

Jason O’Connor: “Why?”

Anne: “Because we have missed three calls from you, I am a bit worried about it, what is this all about?”

The phone hung up and despite multiple call backs remained engaged.

SERIAL RECIPIENTS

Elderly people are being targeted by scammers. Picture: Anna Rogers.

The Egans are serial receivers of scams, both over the phone and by email. They told the Manly Daily some of the attempts included:

— Nigerian scams, in which a large amount of money is offered up if a small amount is transferred into an account;

— Emails from ANZ claiming they are owed money, despite never having had an account with that bank;

— Emails from the AFP saying they were going to be arrested;

— They received another call from someone claiming to be from a government department. Mrs Egan responded by saying “you are a liar”. The woman on the other end said: “No I am a lawyer.”

The Egans’ advice is to”just hang up”.