A DARLING Downs woman has stepped forward as the latest potential victim of a nationwide telephone scam.

The Warwick local, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was called on Friday morning by someone claiming to be from the Australian Tax Office who told her she was to pay thousands in owed taxes.

"They were looking for a payment of $5000 to be paid in cash at the Commonwealth Bank, into an account they gave me by midday, and if it wasn't paid I would be arrested," she said.

"I left them on the phone to find out what they were after but I knew something wasn't right.

"I asked for my business name and they couldn't tell me any of my details.

"If someone like me can get rattled imagine if they rang pensioners or oldies who are doing it tough?"

Her experience is not unique. Hundreds of Australians lodged complaints with the ATO following similar phone calls claiming they must settle fake debt or face arrest.

ATO assistant commissioner Thomas Ryan said the scam had now spread across many parts of the country and has been targeting people prior to the end of financial year.

"From recent reports it would appear that it is spread throughout the country and not just limited to particular regions or states," Mr Ryan said.

"We do urge people to be alert to these types of scams and never send money or give financial details to someone they don't know or trust."

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Warwick Crimestoppers member Diane Scotney said educating older residents about phone and online scammers was one of the topics presented at the Seniors Learning and Lifestyle Expo last Thursday.

She said it was concerning the elderly were being targeted by scammers.

"Seniors are being targeted by scammers because they are more vulnerable," Mrs Scotney said.

"Scams are one of the things we know about and we are trying to get police in to give a lecture on it.

"The police have plenty of information on scamming for the elderly as well, and a lot of them took pamphlets at the expo.

"It was absolutely fabulous as we spoke to a lot of elderly people and passed out information that they didn't know about."

If you are concerned about a possible scam, you can call Scamwatch on 1300 795 995 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6pm (AEST), or visit scamwatch.gov.au to report a scam online.