Scammers target Patonga artist

Patonga artist Ms Jocelyn Maughan has warned other elderly residents of a scam that recently targeted her.

Ms Maughan said that, on two separate occasions in October, she was contacted on her home phone number by scammers pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office.

The scammers, which Ms Maughan described as having a foreign accent, claimed Ms Maughan had committed fraud and told her warrants were out for her arrest.

They also told Ms Maughan that people would arrive at her home to settle the debts and that she must disclose her bank and other personal details to sort out the matter.

"I was horrified," Ms Maughan said.

"I thought it was a scam from the moment they said there were warrants out for my arrest because I'm just an ordinary tax payer and do not believe the ATO would ever contact someone, guilty or otherwise, in this manner," she said.

"It was very scary to be told that people are 'coming to get you'.

"I recently lost my husband, live alone and have been unwell as of late and I can tell you this kind of scare didn't help.

"A friend of mine, also from Patonga, who is 86 and recovery from surgery also received a call from the same mob that went much the same way.

"It's dreadful.

"I hope all the people of the Peninsula are aware of this and report it to the authorities if it happens to them," she said.

Ms Maughan said she contacted the police who directed her to a scam reporting hotline.

SOURCE:

Interview, 11 Oct 2017

Jocelyn Maughan, Patonga

Reporter: Dilon Luke