- Scam
02 7238 5493 (0272385493): Contributors report automated calls and SMS impersonating Visa/Mastercard, claiming $400 Woolworths charges with phishing links.
Visa and Mastercard Impersonation Scam Reports for 02 7238 5493
Two contributors have reported suspicious activity from 02 7238 5493 (also written as 0272385493) involving fake Visa and Mastercard alerts. Both incidents centre on claims of unauthorised $400 charges at Woolworths, delivered via automated robocall and SMS to create urgency and pressure victims into immediate action.
The impersonation is deliberate - callers claim affiliation with both Visa and Mastercard simultaneously without specifying which lending institution issued the card, a common red flag in financial scams. The lack of specific issuer information, combined with the automated nature of the contact, strongly indicates this is a coordinated phishing attempt rather than legitimate fraud alerts from card providers.
What Callers from 02 7238 5493 Say
The automated voice from 02 7238 5493 claims the call is from Visa and Mastercard regarding a $400 transaction at Woolworths. The recorded message provides options to press buttons to "report" the charge, a classic phishing technique designed to trick recipients into confirming they are active account holders and potentially entering personal or banking details through the phone system.
One contributor received an automated SMS message also referencing Mastercard and the same $400 Woolies purchase. The SMS variant includes a phishing link - contributors who click risk having malware installed or credentials harvested on their device. Neither contact method provides legitimate ways to verify the caller's identity or contact official card issuer customer service.
Report Patterns and Timing
Both reports occurred within 24 hours in mid-February 2026, with the initial robocall on 18 February followed by the SMS variant on 17 February. The rapid succession and identical claim amounts ($400 at Woolworths) across both channels suggest this is an active, coordinated campaign rather than isolated fraud attempts.
The use of both robocall and SMS delivery maximises the chance of reaching targets - some contributors may ignore automated calls but respond to text messages, or vice versa. The timing and multi-channel approach is consistent with large-scale phishing operations targeting Australian financial services customers.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 7238 5493
If 02 7238 5493 calls you with an automated message about card fraud:
- Do not: Press any buttons, provide personal or banking details, or confirm your card or account information
- Do not: Call the number back or follow any instructions from the automated message
- Do: Hang up immediately and block the number
- Do: Contact your card issuer directly using the number on the back of your card or your bank's official app
- Do: Check your actual card statements through your bank's secure website or app to verify no fraudulent charges exist
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 7238 5493
If you receive an SMS from 02 7238 5493 about a Mastercard charge:
- Do not: Click any links in the message
- Do not: Reply to the SMS or engage with the sender
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Report the SMS as spam by forwarding to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting service)
- Do: Block the number in your phone's settings to prevent future messages
How to Report 02 7238 5493
If you have received calls or SMS from 02 7238 5493, report your experience to:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report phishing and impersonation scams with full details of what happened
- ACMA: acma.gov.au - Australia's communications regulator handles complaints about scam calls and SMS
- Your card issuer: Contact your bank or credit card company directly to report the impersonation attempt
- Reverseau: Report this number on our platform to help other Australians identify and avoid 02 7238 5493
Community reports are essential - each contributor who logs their experience with 0272385493 helps identify patterns, confirm active scam campaigns, and protect other Australians from the same threat.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 7238 5493!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
This was an automated voice saying they were from Visa and Mastercard claiming there had been a $400 charge at Woolworths and provided options to press to report. Did not state what the Visa or Mastercard lending institution was. Clearly a scam.
Automated message from Mastercard about $400 purchase from Woolies
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 7238 5493!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 7238 5493 really calling from Visa or Mastercard?
No. Legitimate Visa and Mastercard fraud alerts come directly from your card issuer (your bank or credit card company), never from a generic "Visa and Mastercard" number. The number 02 7238 5493 is identified as a local service in NSW, not an official card network. Real card issuers will never ask you to press buttons or click links to report fraud - they verify your identity through secure channels. If you're unsure, hang up and call your card issuer directly using the number on your card.
Why are calls from 02 7238 5493 automated?
Automated calls (robocalls) from 0272385493 allow scammers to reach thousands of numbers quickly and cheaply without human operators. The automated message from 02 7238 5493 claiming a $400 Woolworths charge is designed to provoke an emotional response - urgency and alarm about fraud - which makes you more likely to act without thinking. Automated systems also bypass some fraud detection that targets human speech patterns.
What happens if I press a button when 02 7238 5493 calls?
Pressing buttons during a call from 02 7238 5493 confirms to the scammer that your number is active and monitored by a real person, making it valuable for future scam attempts. The automated system may also try to capture your voice responses or direct you to enter banking details via the phone keypad. In some cases, pressing a button can trigger unwanted charges or subscriptions. Always hang up on unexpected automated fraud alerts and verify directly with your card issuer.
Should I click the link in the SMS from 02 7238 5493?
Absolutely not. The phishing link in SMS messages from 0272385493 is designed to steal your banking credentials, install malware, or direct you to a fake login page. Even if the link appears to lead to a Mastercard page, it almost certainly doesn't. Never click links from unsolicited SMS messages about fraud - instead, contact your card issuer using the official number on your statement or their verified app.
Why mention both Visa and Mastercard in the call from 02 7238 5493?
Mentioning both Visa and Mastercard without specifying which card or institution issued your card is a deliberate tactic used by 02 7238 5493. By being vague, the scammer increases the odds that you carry at least one of these card types, making the claim seem credible. Legitimate card issuers always reference your specific account and institution. The generic approach from 0272385493 is a key indicator of a mass phishing campaign rather than a real fraud alert.
Is the $400 Woolworths charge real?
Almost certainly not. The $400 Woolworths claim from 02 7238 5493 is designed to create panic and urgency, pressuring you to act without verification. Real fraud alerts from your card issuer will reference your actual recent transactions and provide your account details for verification. If you're unsure whether a charge on 0272385493's call is real, check your Woolworths account and card statements directly through your bank's secure app or website - do not use any link or number provided by the caller.