Scammers pretending to be AFP Officers

ACT Policing is urging the community to be vigilant against telephone scammers following reports of phone scammers targeting Canberra residents recently.

Reports made to police have similarities including, the caller:

• claiming to be an AFP officer and providing false names and badge numbers;
• stating there is an outstanding Australian Taxation Authority (ATO) debt;
• stating the debt needs to be paid or they will be arrested on a warrant; and
• requesting bank account details for an immediate money transfer.

Acting Superintendent Jason Kennedy said, “It is important for the public to remember that ACT Policing or the AFP will never call you asking for or providing bank account details.”

“If you receive a call like this, do not transfer any money, take note of the phone number calling you and report the incident.”

“It is also important to talk to elderly or vulnerable people about these scams to help them avoid becoming victims.”

If you have any information in relation to these types of incidents you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

For more information about scams and how to protect yourself, visit the Scamwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au