Just had 2 ph calls from a private number, second time a James Watson with an accent started to advise me that I have over $6000 owing to me which the gov now wants to return. I too was told to take down the reference number and to call back to speak with the manager to the chq sent to me... Very suss and not trustworthy

Yes. I had a call at 12.30pm today. He said he was from the Federal Govt Reclaim Finance Dep, Unit 2, 2 Angel Pl, Sydney. Said they were wanting to repay me $6000 in overcharges the bank had charged me, asked for my DOB. He already knew my name & address. Told me he wasn't asking my banking details, just how I'd like the money paid, either transferred into my bank a/c or by bank cheque. I said bank cheque. He told me to call (02) 8091 7355 to speak to one of his managers, either a Norma Stewart or Max Davis & they would verify the payment! He gave me a Ref No: BS15. Another scammer! Mind you I did not return the call.

I received a call today from a private number claiming to be from the Australian Federal Government. He had an indian accent and spoke of a claim of $6,325 for banks overcharging me. I asked which bank did that and he kept going on with his script. He knew my address and requested my date of birth but kept getting it wrong. Apparently I was entitled to this money and I could have it deposited into my account or a cheque. I played along and said I'll have a cheque waiting for him to ask for more personal details. Instead he requested that I record a reference number of DA92 and ring (02) 8091 2006 to speak with his manager Mr Paul Edward or Ms Maria Williams. I didn't bother. I knew it was a scam and kept saying to him that it was one. I believe they are getting the information from the electricity companies somehow as he mentioned our address which is only known to them. We live out of town and that address is based on where the meter is located and not our actual street address. To them I say, "Go and get a real job and work as hard as we do!" "Earn some real money!"

Low and behold, I too just got a call from an Indian guy called himself Daniel. Same scenario, from the Federal Department of Finance, the number I was given to call back was (02) 8091 3202. The supervisor was also Indian which seemed even more suspicious, when I realised it was definitely a scam and told them it was, they quickly hung up the phone. Why can't these people be stopped. My refund was supposedly $6,325, I too was instructed to go to the post office, what a scam, I feel sorry for the unsuspecting that fall for it.

I just had a call, mine was for this exact amount! $8,546 as Susan W
Her name was Renae Johnson with an Indian accent lol.
I was going along with it, then hung up.

"im glad to read this, as I feel I am being tried to be scammed. I am going to read more comments to prepare myself for another call from them... grrrrr"

I also just had a call from the Federal Government Reclaim Department. It took ages to understand because of his heavy accent. Apparently the Govt are happy to send me a cheque or transfer money into my bank account .. $6,325.. Very nice! I refused to spell my name but confirmed my postcode. I asked if I could pick up the cheque and was given the address of 2124 Pitt St, Sydney. He asked when I would be arriving? I said I would call back and asked for his phone number, which he refused to give me! He then said he would come and see me, to which I told him 'no thankyou!' At first I thought it was a solar panel sales pitch! I just checked my call list and it was from : (07) 3018 7514

SCAM.... Private Number.... Reclaims Department Australian Federal Government. Got the call again thismorning. This time I played along with it. They offered me money and told me that I live at an address I don't know of. I asked him what my name is and that was also wrong. He hung up on me after I said to him that the Australian Federal Government employee should know that information when ringing you about something so important as that.

I just had the exact same call. same amount, names, phone number.

I have just had the same call from an Indian women who was obviously reading a script. She had my address -naturally this is from a telephone list. Spun her along while I checked the webbsite - and found the same scam has been going for a long time - thanks for all previous postings.

Have just had the same scam. I rang the ATO who said the phone numbers rotate and are out of Rumania. Go figure. I have also added the information to the ACCC scamwatch web site. Good luck.

my mother received a call today July 31st and was told to phone (02) 8005 7523 and quote KA193. I phone the number and a lady answered saying it's a refund from all the overcharges?? I said post out the info and we'll sort it - she hung up. After finding this website I rang them straight back and got Andrew Anderson - I said you are a scam and I've reported you to the police - he hung up immediately.

Had the exact same call today,exact amount and contact names and call back number,what a bunch of mustards !!!!!!

They tried this same stunt on my elderly mother in Brisbane gave a case number and the number (02) 8006 7608 to call back.
'
She asked me to ring it today. When I started pressing Alice Wilson for details of where her office was located in Sydney she hung up. Definitely a scam preying on the gullible and the elderly.

They should all be locked up.

I just had a call. When I didn't call back, they called me, when I told them it was a scam and how dare they try and rip people off, he said I was the one that would miss out and hung up.
Below are the details they gave me

Dk165
02 61 007786 Alan Johnson Sophia Williams

Dept reclaim

I just received a call from the same mob, telling me I was overcharged $6325 in bank charges and that they will send me a cheque. I had to ring (02) 8006 7608 and give my "ID" number. When I rang I was asked to call back again in 5 minutes.
These people have rung at least once everyday for the past few months and normally hang up when I answer. Today was the first time they talked to me. We have signed the "Do Not Call" register but still get these calls. So frustrating and annoyed that scammers are still getting away with this. I was the victim of an attempted scam last week too and reported it to the ACCC after contacting the AFP. Don't the ACCC do anything about these crooks????

His name was James Taylor, he called yesterday.He told me to call his manager on (02) 8005 7523 and they would send me a cheque for $8546.00.Please how stupid do you think I am.Told me it was for taxes and GST I had payed.I have rang a few times and I hang up,wonder how they like it.Indian Scum.

I just had one of those as well - same phone number and supervisors. Just reported it to scam watch.

Just had the same call, glad I found this site so quickly. Surely if they are claiming to be an Australian government department, there must be something that can be done to shut them down. And maybe some sort of wider public media announcement, I'd not heard anything about any scam before this

My 85yr old father just received the same sort of call. Reclaims Dept Federal Gov. $5248 refund on overpaid GST!!!! Just send $190 Western Union through the post office. Same scam phone number (02) 8005 7523. Dad reported it to ACCC 1300 795 995 and they said that when they phone back tell them the call has been reported to ScamWatch. Dad was also advised to have overseas incoming calls blocked and as we have no acquaintances overseas, he is off to the local Telstra store tomorrow to get these nuisance calls stopped.