Tax scam nets $100k in Tasmania

Scammers have managed to cheat almost $100,000 out of Tasmanians in the last week by making phoney Australian Taxation Office demands.

Over 100 Tasmanians contacted police after they were contacted by scammers demanding they transferred money online or deposit directly onto pre-paid gift cards to settle tax debts or risk arrest and property seizure.

"They will tell you to pay the money through online transfer, into another bank account, onto a pre-paid or gift card like Woolworths or iTunes or by transfer at the post office through Western Union, or onto prepaid cards such as Load and Go," Sergeant Gen Hickman said, warning people to be wary of such demands.