Caller: tax debt scam

Friend answered and got a pre-recorded message saying he had a debt to pay and to push 1 to pay or he would end up with the cops on his door

listed on ATO site

September 2020 phone and SMS scams – fake tax debt

The ATO is concerned about the increasing number of people paying fake tax debt scammers.

Scammers pretending to be from the ATO are contacting members of the community, telling them that they have a tax debt and that if they don't pay it straight away they will be arrested.

These scammers will often request payment through unusual methods, such as cryptocurrency, pre-paid credit cards or gift cards, and will try to keep people on the line until they have paid.

If you receive a phone call, text message or voicemail like this, don't send payment or provide any personal information. Hang up and delete the message.

The ATO will never threaten you with immediate arrest or demand payment through unusual means.