More Coast residents have come forward after phone scammers hit local retirement suburbs

SHIRLEY Wood, 82, had just done a tax return, so was worried when an angry man called up, threatening to have her arrested for tax evasion.

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SHIRLEY Wood, 82, had just completed her tax return, so was worried when an angry man called up threatening to have her arrested for tax evasion.

“This is Jason O’Connor calling from the Australian Taxation Office – the nature and the purpose for this call is just to inform you that there has been a lawsuit filed against your name confirming a tax evasion and this case is about to get executed into the courthouse of your territory.

“So before things go wrong against you, or the police officers from the local police department will approach you and issue a warrant for your arrest, I need you ring me back on this callback number which is [phone].”

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The Bulletin called that number – and numerous others listed in online forums yesterday – but there was no answer.

Runaway Bay Police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant John Hildebrand said more than 20 locals had come forward since the Bulletin’s front page about fraudsters targeting retirement hot spots on the Gold Coast.

While this type of scam has been around for years, most warnings are posted by authorities on the internet, so people who aren’t online are more vulnerable.

Ms Wood, who has an unlisted number, said she had just submitted a genuine tax return and had not heard back from the ATO, so was worried by the voicemail.

“I said to my daughter, ‘Jenny, listen to this’,” she said.

“She phoned back and he abused her.

“They knew my name – how did they know my name?”

Sgt Hildebrand said police had been given phone numbers left on voicemail machines but they were not useful for investigations as they were usually diverted overseas.

He said police had not taken any action because the complaints so far had been about the calls, not about any successful scams where money was lost.

“Retirees may not even be aware they have been scammed,” he said.

“If anyone believes they have been scammed, don’t be embarrassed – come forward.”

Ms Wood said she had reported her call to police.

“They wouldn’t have got any money from me,” she said.

To check if a call you’ve received is from the real ATO, call 13 28 61