A Napier woman is hoping she's finally heard the last of phone-call scammers after a week being dogged with bogus tax-evasion claims and threats of what will happen if she doesn't pay-up.
But the IRD, police and other agencies warn other possible targets, don't even give the scammers a chance.Don't bother listening, just hang up, and if particularly worried call the police.
The calls to the Napier woman started last Friday, and by yesterday she had received 12 calls on her new mobile phone and an average of four a day on her home landline.
Clearly made from abroad, they include threats of arrest, loss of her home and other calamities.
Surprised by the seeming authenticity of the calls but having avoided providing information sought by the callers, the woman is just one of hundreds who have reported the scam throughout the country in recent weeks. Inland Revenue customer services group manager Eleanor Young said more than 500 complaints had been made in a few days.
The Napier woman's distress is similar to that of other victims of the aggressive tactics used by the scammers, but the IRD's message is it is not their staff, they would not be calling to discuss such issues in such a way, and they would not be making threats.
