THE ACCC’s SCAMwatch website is advising the community to hang up on people claiming to be holding arrest warrants or claims for outstanding tax.

SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be aware of calls from scammers falsely claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) or Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Scammers have recently been calling Australians telling them that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Many people have reported to SCAMwatch that messages have been recorded on their answering machines asking them to call back later. The telephone number provided is 0261003027 and they ask you to call during office hours to discuss the matter further. However, the telephone number has no connection with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Taxation Office or any other State or Commonwealth department.

The scammers may spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that you have failed to pay taxes.

Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it’s nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people’s financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.

Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone saying you have an arrest warrant and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond, SCAMwatch advises. If in doubt, don’t use the contact details provided – look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them.

More information is on the SCAMwatch website.

This warning comes as reports of systemic tax return fraud are coming out of the United States.