- Scam
Community report for 02 6957 5451 (0269575451): One contributor flagged this NSW number appearing in a suspicious email claiming to be from maricopa.edu.
Suspicious Activity Flagged for 02 6957 5451
A single contributor has reported 02 6957 5451 (also written as 0269575451) appearing in connection with suspicious email activity. The report indicates this NSW-based number from Symbio Networks Pty Ltd was included in a fraudulent email purporting to originate from maricopa.edu, a US educational institution. This type of activity suggests potential email spoofing or phishing campaign involvement.
The contributor's alert about 0269575451 highlights an emerging concern where local Australian phone numbers are being weaponised in international scam campaigns. By embedding a legitimate-looking Australian number in emails claiming to be from overseas organisations, scammers attempt to bypass email filters and increase perceived legitimacy.
What This Report Indicates
The single report mentioning 02 6957 5451 suggests the number may be used as a callback contact or verification number in phishing emails. Contributors who receive emails referencing 0269575451 should treat them as highly suspicious, particularly if the email claims to be from an educational or financial institution but directs you to call an Australian number for verification.
This pattern differs from traditional scam calls. Rather than the number actively calling recipients, 02 6957 5451 appears embedded in fraudulent written communications, likely to create false credibility or serve as a social engineering callback number.
How to Protect Yourself from Similar Scams
If you receive an email claiming to be from an overseas organisation but containing Australian contact numbers like 02 6957 5451:
- Do not: Call the number provided in the email, click any links, or download attachments
- Do: Contact the organisation directly using their official website or published phone number
- Do: Check the email sender's address carefully - scammers often use similar-looking domains
- Do: Verify any urgent claims (account suspension, payment due) by logging into the official website independently
Legitimate organisations will never ask you to verify personal details via phone callback in response to unsolicited emails.
What to Do If You Received This Email
If you have the suspicious email containing 02 6957 5451 (0269575451):
- Forward it: Send the email to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au for analysis
- Report to email provider: Use your email service's spam or phishing report function
- Do not engage: Do not call 02 6957 5451, reply to the email, or provide any information
- Block the sender: Add the email address to your spam or block list
Reporting Suspicious Numbers and Emails
If you've encountered 02 6957 5451 in suspicious communications, you can report your experience:
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - Australia's official cybercrime reporting service for phishing and email scams
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - ACCC's reporting portal for all scam types
- Your email provider: Report the phishing email directly through Gmail, Outlook, or other email services
- Reverseau: Share your experience on this page to help other Australians identify this number's usage patterns
Community reports are essential for identifying how numbers like 0269575451 are being misused in scam campaigns. Your contribution helps build awareness across Australia.
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What Our Users Reviewed
Number turned up in dodgy email from maricopa.edu
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 6957 5451!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would a scammer use an Australian number like 02 6957 5451 in an email from a US university?
Scammers embed local Australian numbers like 02 6957 5451 (0269575451) to increase perceived legitimacy and bypass email filters. An Australian contact number in an email makes the fraudulent message appear more credible. The contributor who reported this NSW number noted it was presented as a verification contact, which is a common social engineering tactic to catch people off guard when they call back.
Should I call 02 6957 5451 to verify the email?
No. Never call numbers provided in unsolicited emails, regardless of how official the message appears. Calling 02 6957 5451 could confirm your number is active and monitored by scammers. Instead, contact the organisation directly using their official website or a phone number you find independently - not one from the email.
Is 0269575451 a legitimate Symbio Networks number?
The allocation data shows 02 6957 5451 (0269575451) is provisioned to Symbio Networks Pty Ltd, a legitimate NSW-based provider. However, a legitimate number can still be misused by scammers in phishing emails. The fact that 0269575451 appears in a fraudulent maricopa.edu email suggests either the number's account has been compromised or it's being spoofed.
What should I do if I already replied to the email or called 02 6957 5451?
If you've engaged with the email: immediately change passwords for any accounts (especially banking and email), monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity, and report the incident to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au). If you called 02 6957 5451 and provided personal information, contact your bank and run antivirus scans on your device. Report the phishing attempt to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au).
Can I report this to the phone provider, Symbio Networks?
Yes. If you have the email containing 02 6957 5451, you can contact Symbio Networks Pty Ltd directly with the email details so they can investigate whether their number's account has been compromised. However, your primary report should go to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) and the ACCC's Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), as they coordinate with providers on fraud patterns.
How do I know if an email claiming to be from an overseas organisation is legitimate?
Check three things: the sender's email domain (legitimate organisations use official domain names, not generic addresses), any phone numbers (legitimately never ask you to call for urgent verification), and the content (legitimate organisations rarely demand immediate action via email). If 02 6957 5451 or any unusual number appears in a security alert email, contact the organisation independently using their published contact details, not the number in the email.