Article

Urgent advice to members

We have been contacted today (Weds 30 April 2015) by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) in Canberra regarding a scam targeting doctors.

It involves persons calling doctors, purporting to be a an ‘officer’, ‘agent’ or ‘sergeant’ from the ACC, stating that there is an outstanding warrant for the doctor’s arrest and that he or she must pay a sum of money to the caller or the police will attend shortly to arrest them.

This is a scam. It seems that the callers have accents suggesting they are from overseas. They provide a number, usually 02 888 00 377 which appears to be a Skype number which could originate anywhere in the world.

If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and report the matter to Scamwatch on 1300 795 995.

Do not under any circumstances pay any money to the caller or provide any details such as credit card or bank account details.

Law enforcement agencies do not seek payment in relation to outstanding warrants.

We understand it is currently operating mostly in the ACT and Victoria but is very likely to spread to other parts of the country.

The names used so far by the scammers include:

  • Chester Ben
  • David Miller
  • Ethan McCord

Of course, they could use any name. Members are advised to be extremely vigilant and alert their staff and colleagues to the possibility of receiving one of these calls.

We will provide further updates as we receive them.