Tasmania Police switchboard operators estimate they have received hundreds of reports from people who have been contacted by scam callers claiming to be from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

During the phone calls the scammers quote identity and case numbers in an attempt to appear authentic.

They tell the intended victim that they owe the taxation office a large amount of money that must be paid immediately, otherwise they will be arrested.

They then say that there is a further fee to stop the arrest warrant. The caller directs that the money is to be paid immediately into a bank account and repeatedly calls back to ensure their instructions are being followed.

What appears to be a legitimate phone number appears on the screen when they call, but when called back the number does not actually exist.

Many of the people who have received these calls in the last few days are extremely alarmed by them, especially some elderly people.

Tasmania Police posted advice about the scam on its Facebook page yesterday and again today and many members of the public have been sharing their experiences of the scam. Anyone contacted by these scammers should report it to www.scamwatch.gov.au.

This is not the first time Tasmanians have been targeted with this scam and it is outlined in further detail on the ATO website www.ato.gov.au