02 3816 1728 - 0238161728: Government Impersonation Robocall Scam

• Scam
• Uncertain
• Suspicious
• Spam

02 3816 1728 (0238161728): Automated scam calls impersonating immigration and health departments. Contributors report recorded messages demanding urgent document processing with language selection options.

Government Impersonation Robocall Reports for 02 3816 1728

Multiple contributors have reported automated scam calls from 02 3816 1728 (also written as 0238161728) impersonating Australian government agencies. The pattern involves pre-recorded messages claiming to be from the immigration department or health authorities, stating that urgent documents require processing and threatening consequences for non-compliance. Four separate reports about 0238161728 describe identical or near-identical robocall scripts, strongly indicating this is an organised fraud operation using automated dialling.

One contributor received the same recorded message from 02 3816 1728 and an adjacent number within days, suggesting the scammers are cycling through similar number ranges. The robocalls consistently offer language selection (English and Mandarin), indicating targeting of non-English speaking Australians who may be more vulnerable to authority-based threats.

What Callers from 02 3816 1728 Claim

Contributors describe automated voice messages from 02 3816 1728 making specific false claims designed to create urgency and fear. The recorded messages typically state:

• "The immigration department has tried contacting you many times"
• "You have an urgent document to process"
• "Update your health information online immediately"
• Offers to "press one for English, two for Chinese"

The use of language selection is deliberate - it targets migrants and international students who may be unfamiliar with Australian government communication procedures and more likely to comply with perceived authority demands. One contributor noted receiving a message saying they'd "tried heaps of times" to reach them, a psychological pressure tactic designed to create false urgency and legitimacy.

Call Patterns and Repeated Contact

Contributors report receiving multiple calls from 02 3816 1728 and related numbers over a concentrated period in late June and early July. One report describes the caller "ringing from different numbers" but with identical patterns, confirming this is an automated campaign rather than legitimate government contact. Three separate reports specifically mention repeated calls, with one contributor noting calls "kept ringing for no reason." The timing and volume suggest a systematic robocall operation targeting a large list of phone numbers across NSW, where this local service number is allocated to Symbio Networks.

A contributor who received a voicemail from 02 3816 1728 reported they "reckon it's dodgy" based on the message content and repeated attempts, indicating the scammers are leaving voicemail messages designed to provoke callback calls - a secondary scam vector where callers who dial back reach a paid or malicious service.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 3816 1728

If 02 3816 1728 calls you:

• Do not: Press any number, answer prompts, or remain on the line. Hang up immediately. Do not press keys to select a language or agree to anything.
• Do not: Return the call if a voicemail is left. Scammers use voicemail messages to trigger callbacks to premium or malicious numbers.
• Do not: Provide personal information, bank details, or tax file number if you accidentally stay on the line.
• Do: Let the call go to voicemail or reject it immediately.
• Do: Block 02 3816 1728 in your phone settings right away.
• Do: Verify any government communication by calling the official department directly using a number from their official website (never use a number from the caller or voicemail).
• Do: Remember that genuine government agencies do not demand urgent payments or threaten legal action via robocalls.

Report Patterns Across Related Numbers

Contributors have noted that calls from 02 3816 1728 often occur alongside calls from adjacent numbers with similar patterns. This suggests a coordinated robocall campaign using multiple numbers in sequence to maximize reach and bypass individual blocking attempts. The consistent use of government impersonation language, coupled with automated delivery and language selection options, indicates a sophisticated scam operation rather than random nuisance calls.

How to Report 02 3816 1728

If you receive scam calls from 02 3816 1728, report them to Australian authorities:

• Scamwatch: Report the call and robocall tactics at scamwatch.gov.au. Include the exact message content and date/time of the call.
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): File a complaint about robocalls and unsolicited calls at acma.gov.au. ACMA tracks patterns to identify major scam operations.
• ReportCyber: If the call directs you to a malicious website, report it at cyber.gov.au.
• Reverseau: Add your report on this page to help other Australians identify 0238161728. Community reports strengthen the pattern evidence.

When reporting to authorities, provide the exact date, time, and word-for-word transcript of the robocall message. Multiple reports of identical messages from 02 3816 1728 help agencies identify and disrupt the scam operation.

Frequently Asked Questions