IT’S tax time, my favourite season of the year.

I dust off my old tax file number, sharpen my pencil, put my glasses on and then watch television while my wife does my tax return.

She loves it.

I wish tax time come around 10 times a year so I could gaze upon her dazzling smile more often.

Any hoo, a week or so later money comes from somewhere and goes into my bank account.

Pennies from heaven.

However, the downside at tax time is that there are crooks and scammers out there who would rather your tax refunds go into their bank accounts and not yours.

One of the latest scams start with a phone call to you allegedly from the ATO (code for “someone or something, but not the Australian Tax Office”).

The call is quite convincing, names are given, ID numbers, case numbers, ID warrants are quoted proficiently and it all culminates with threats of property seizure, freezing bank accounts, taking your car or even seizing your house.

If you are still on the phone to the scammer at this point you are given payment options etc.

Money is requested and a short time later you have less money than you did before and nothing to show for it other than a sudden painful realisation that you have been scammed.

I’m sure you get the gist of what is going on.

Do not be scammed by these horrible people.

If you have been contacted by someone allegedly from the tax office you can ring a number and find out if you have been contacted by a scammer or not.

It took me two seconds on the interweb to get onto the ATO website and locate information in relation to scams including current scams and what to do.

Just remember that vulnerable members of your family who pay tax should be advised of the situation as well.

Even though the Dob in a Dealer Campaign locally has wrapped up, you can still report incidents. If you see anything suspicious report it anonymously, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

As always, in case of an emergency call 000. In non-emergencies call the Policelink on 131 444 or your local police station. To provide anonymous information call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. For domestic and family violence information, visit www.police.nsw.gov.au. For Shoalhaven Domestic Violence officers call 4421 9666 or 4421 9665 or email shoaldvlo@police.nsw.gov.au.

Don’t forget, cops are tops.