Mr Walters returned to his Wendouree home on Wednesday morning to a message on his answering machine claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office representing the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

LISTEN TO THE CALL HERE:

The message stated that there was an urgent legal matter relating to tax evasion and fraud and provided a telephone number, 02 6152 8631, to call in which the issue would be discussed further. The number is Canberra-listed but has no connection with the CDPP, ATO or any other state or commonwealth department.

Mr Walters said while the message came as a complete shock, the fact that the the male speaking didn’t state his name specifically meant alarm bells were ringing in his mind.

“My main concern was I had only just done my tax on Friday and I was thinking ‘what’s gone wrong?’ do I need to ring this number and find out,” Mr Walters told The Courier.

“Then I started to think they didn’t really say who it was addressed to – they didn’t specifically say to Gary Walters – and it didn’t sound like an Australian voice, which you think it would coming from the Australian Taxation Office.”

Mr Walters immediately called his solicitor and accountant to seek advice and play them the recording.

“My solicitor said he was 99 per cent sure that with something of that nature they wouldn’t leave a voice mail message, it would be more official like a letter or would personally get in touch,” he said.

“My accountant said straight away that it sounds like a scam. He was quite interested and said he would keep an eye out for this type of thing happening to other people.”

Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money are not uncommon, with the Australian Government’s scamwatch website listing several examples similar to Mr Walter’s experience.

Mr Walter’s advice to anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation is to be on guard, hang up and do not respond if you receive a phone call asking to pay a fee.

“I have heard of scams, but this is the first time something like this has happen to me,” he said.

“I just wondered if we were home and picked up the phone what would have happened. Is it just a recording or is somebody speaking?

“Immediately your reaction may be to give an answer and that’s where people could be caught out.

“If you are not sure of anything when it comes to this type of thing just enquire. Go to your local police station or someone who can offer some advice.”