Home and Away's Sharni Vison has been receiving terrifying death threats.

Sharni Vinson doesn’t feel safe in her own home. And all it took was one terrifying phone call.

The former Home and Away star shared her unsettling situation with the world this week, posting a confronting photograph on Instagram in which she is clutching a large, 12-guage automatic shotgun. Among the hashtags beneath: self protection.

The California-based actress went on The Kyle and Jackie O Show this morning to explain the snap, saying that she fears for her life after being threatened and extorted by a ring of scammers.

Had a few death threats recently.. but not to worry. I got this ???? Holding down the fort with a Benelli 12 gauge automatic #VeniceBeach #MolePatrol #Benelli #SafetyFirst #SelfProtection @benelli_usa #MessedWithTheWrongMole

A photo posted by Sharni Vinson (@sharnivinson) on May 16, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT

“International phone scammers are trying to pose as the IRS and members of the US government,” she told the KIIS FM hosts, “They call people around US tax time saying they’re entitled to either a tax refund, or that they have to pay taxes that are overdue.”

Demanding personal information and fees before any “transfer” can take place, they reportedly threatened Vinson’s life if she failed to cough up.

Terrified, Vinson enlisted the help of a police officer to turn the tables on the crims, by linking him in on one of their phone calls.

“When the sheriff revealed himself as being the police, this guy got very angry… he started yelling abuse, sexual insults, just hideous stuff and he hung up. He’s been calling back ever since, and leaving these detailed voice messages threatening to kill me.”

The experience has left her haunted by terrifying, vivid nightmares, “Last night I dreamt that my head got blown off, it’s not fun!”

The 32-year-old moved to the US to pursue a big-screen Hollywood career, but says she’s now contemplating returning down under.

“I am eager now to come back, especially after this,” she said. “I shouldn’t be living like this, in this fear.”