- Scam
One contributor reported a scam call from 02 7813 2044 (0278132044) claiming their passport was forged. Government impersonation alert for NSW.
Impersonation Scam Report for 02 7813 2044
A contributor has reported receiving a scam call from 02 7813 2044 (also written as 0278132044) in which the caller claimed the recipient's passport was forged. This type of impersonation attack targets personal identity documents and typically aims to create urgency and panic, potentially leading the victim to disclose sensitive personal information or payment details.
The call came through a local NSW service allocated to Symbio Networks Pty Ltd. Impersonation scams of this nature often claim affiliation with government agencies handling immigration or identity verification, though callers may not explicitly state which agency they represent, relying instead on the shock value of the accusation to bypass critical thinking.
What the Caller from 02 7813 2044 Claimed
According to the report, the caller from 0278132044 claimed the recipient's passport was forged. This is a common opening tactic in identity-based scams because it creates immediate concern about legal consequences and travel restrictions. Callers making such claims typically follow up with demands for immediate action-often payment of a supposed fine or fee, provision of identification details to "verify" the account, or transfer of funds to resolve the issue.
The specificity of the accusation (forged passport rather than a generic threat) suggests the scammer may have obtained some personal information about the target beforehand, which is frequently sourced from data breaches or sold contact lists.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 7813 2044
If 02 7813 2044 calls you with similar claims:
- Do not: Confirm personal details, provide passport or visa information, agree to immediate payments, or follow caller instructions to visit a bank or government office
- Do: Hang up immediately, independently verify the claim by contacting the relevant government agency directly using an official phone number from their website, and block the number
- Remember: Legitimate government agencies do not threaten immediate arrest or cancellation of documents via unsolicited calls, and they do not demand payment over the phone
If you have already engaged with this caller and provided personal information, monitor your passport status and credit accounts closely, and consider reporting the incident to the relevant authorities.
How to Report 02 7813 2044
If you receive a scam call from 02 7813 2044 or 0278132044, report it through these Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - lodges reports with the ACMA and helps warn other Australians
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - regulates telecommunications and handles scam complaints
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - if the scam involved online components or credential phishing
- Local police: File a report at your nearest station if you've suffered financial loss
- Reverseau: Add your experience to community reports here to help other Australians identify this number
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Claimed my passport was forged
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if 02 7813 2044 calls claiming my passport is forged?
Do not provide any personal, passport, or visa details. Hang up immediately and independently contact the Department of Home Affairs using the official number from their website (homeaffairs.gov.au) to verify the claim. Legitimate government agencies do not call demanding immediate action or payment regarding passport status.
Is 0278132044 a real government number?
No. 02 7813 2044 is allocated to a local service provider (Symbio Networks Pty Ltd in NSW) and is not a government agency number. Scammers often use civilian phone numbers to impersonate authorities.
How do scammers get my personal information for calls like this?
Callers claiming issues with your 0278132044 passport may have obtained your details from data breaches, sold contact lists, or public records. The specificity of the claim (rather than a generic threat) is designed to make the scam seem credible.
What should I do if I already gave details to this caller?
Monitor your passport status at homeaffairs.gov.au, check your credit report with Equifax or Experian, and set up fraud alerts with your bank. If you've suffered loss, report to your bank and file a police report, then notify Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
Can I block 02 7813 2044 on my phone?
Yes. Most smartphones allow you to block numbers directly in your call history or contacts. For additional protection, register with the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au, though scammers often ignore it.
Should I report this to anyone beyond Reverseau?
Yes. Report 02 7813 2044 to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) so the number can be tracked and other Australians warned. If you've lost money, also file a police report and notify your bank immediately.