- Scam
02 5138 7172 (0251387172): Community report of spoofed silent call with callback trap. ACT-allocated number showing 'not in service' when called back.
Callback Lure Scam Report for 02 5138 7172
A contributor has flagged 02 5138 7172 (also written as 0251387172) for a spoofed callback lure scam. The call came through as silent with the ACT displayed as the caller location, but left no voicemail and has no public business listing associated with it.
The key indicator of this scam is what happens when you attempt to return the call to 0251387172. Rather than reaching a person or organisation, callers hear a standard "we're sorry, the number you have dialled" disconnection message. This suggests the number has been spoofed to disguise the actual caller's identity, a common tactic in callback scams targeting Australians.
What Happens When You Call Back 02 5138 7172
The contributor who received the call from 02 5138 7172 noted that attempting to return the call triggers an automatic disconnection message. This is a hallmark of callback lure scams, where scammers use spoofed numbers to make their calls appear legitimate while ensuring that any return call reaches nowhere. The number shows no results in public business directories, and multiple online searches reveal other Australians reporting similar experiences with this number.
When this happens with 0251387172, it strongly suggests you're dealing with a spoofed call rather than a genuine business outreach. Real businesses maintain active incoming lines.
Why Silent Calls with Callback Traps Are Dangerous
Silent calls from 02 5138 7172 paired with an unreachable return number create a specific scam scenario. The silent call is designed to pique your curiosity, prompting you to call back out of concern that you've missed something important. However, calling 0251387172 reaches nothing because the number is fake. The real scammers remain hidden behind the spoofed identity.
Some variants of this scam attempt to redirect callers who persist in trying to reach the number, potentially connecting them to a second layer of scammers. Others simply ensure the callback fails, frustrating you into trying again later or from a different device, gathering data on which numbers are active and monitored.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 5138 7172
If 02 5138 7172 calls you:
- Do not: Return the call or dial 0251387172 back, even if curious about a missed call
- Do not: Assume the caller location shown on your screen is genuine, as this can be spoofed
- Do: Block 02 5138 7172 immediately on your device
- Do: Check your voicemail after blocking - legitimate callers always leave messages
- Do: If you're concerned about a genuine missed call, contact the organisation directly using a phone number from their official website, not any number shown on your phone
How to Report 02 5138 7172
If you've received calls from 02 5138 7172 or 0251387172, you can report this activity to Australian authorities:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report to acma.gov.au - they investigate telecom fraud and spoofing
- Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call time, what happened, and whether you attempted to call back
- ReportCyber: If the scam involved any attempt to obtain personal information or financial details, report to cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience here to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 5138 7172!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Silenced call from this number, showing as the ACT. No voicemail or public listing - but plenty of searches from others. If you try to call back "we're sorry, the number you have dialled..." etc. It's spoofed / scam. Blocked.
Silent call showing as local area, no message, can't ring back, spoofed number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 5138 7172!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why should I not call back 02 5138 7172 if it shows as a missed call?
Calling back 0251387172 will not reach the actual scammer because the number is spoofed. Instead, you'll hear a disconnection message, confirming the number is fake. Attempting multiple callbacks can also flag your number as active to scammers or their associates, leading to more unwanted contact.
How can 02 5138 7172 show an ACT location if it's not real?
Phone number spoofing technology allows scammers to manipulate the Caller ID information displayed on your phone. The number 0251387172 is allocated to ACT (Symbio Networks), but scammers can make their calls appear to come from this legitimate number regardless of their actual location. This is why you cannot reach anyone when you call 02 5138 7172 back.
What should I do if I already called back 0251387172?
If you've already called back 02 5138 7172 and reached the disconnection message, you've simply confirmed it's spoofed. Do not attempt to call again. Block 0251387172 on your device and monitor your account for any unusual activity. If you provided any personal information before realising it was a scam, consider contacting your bank and checking your credit file.
Could 02 5138 7172 be a legitimate business using a faulty line?
Unlikely. A legitimate ACT business using 0251387172 would maintain an active incoming line and voicemail system. The combination of a silent call, no voicemail, an unreachable callback number, and no public business listing strongly indicates spoofing rather than a faulty connection or missed call routing.
How can I tell if a missed call is real or spoofed before calling back?
Before calling back 02 5138 7172 or any missed number, search online for the number and organisation name together. Check the organisation's official website for their contact details. If 0251387172 appears in your search results associated with scam reports (like here), it's spoofed. Legitimate businesses have public phone numbers that ring through and verified web listings.
Should I report 02 5138 7172 to my phone provider?
Yes. Contact your mobile or landline provider and report 0251387172 as a spoofed scam number. They can flag it in their systems and may block it for other customers. Additionally, report it to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au so authorities can track spoofing patterns and take action.