02 8011 1612 - 0280111612: Woolworths Impersonation Scam

• Scam

Community report for 02 8011 1612 (0280111612): Caller impersonated Woolworths fraud team, falsely claiming unauthorised Visa gift card transaction to extract personal information.

Woolworths Impersonation Reports for 02 8011 1612

One contributor has reported a scam call from 02 8011 1612 (also written as 0280111612) involving impersonation of Woolworths fraud detection. The caller claimed the recipient had made an unauthorised transaction using a Visa card to purchase a gift card, despite the recipient not owning a Visa card. This is a classic impersonation tactic designed to create urgency and concern before requesting personal information.

The call came through on a local NSW number allocated to Symbio Networks. The contributor answered the call directly, which is how the scammer attempted to extract details. The false transaction claim appears designed to bypass initial scepticism by referencing a specific retailer most Australians interact with regularly.

What Callers from 02 8011 1612 Claim

The contributor reported that the caller from 0280111612 specifically claimed to be from Woolworths fraud investigation. Rather than acknowledging the recipient's denial of a Visa card, the scammer was attempting to proceed with gathering personal information based on the fabricated unauthorised transaction narrative.

This approach differs from generic fraud alerts because it targets a trusted retailer (Woolworths) and a plausible financial product (Visa gift card). Scammers banking on the fact that many Australians use Woolworths regularly and may own various payment methods.

Report Patterns and Timing

The report about 02 8011 1612 was logged in early January 2026. While only a single report is currently on record for this number, the sophistication of the impersonation attempt - claiming a specific retailer and specific transaction type - suggests a targeted approach rather than random robocalling.

The contributor's quick response (noting they don't have a Visa) likely prevented further social engineering, but the caller's persistence in attempting to extract information after this objection indicates a trained scammer rather than an automated system.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8011 1612

If 02 8011 1612 calls you:

• Do not: Confirm personal details, card numbers, or account information over the phone, even if the caller claims to be from Woolworths
• Do not: Provide one-time passwords, PINs, or security codes
• Do: Hang up immediately if the caller pressures you or becomes defensive when questioned
• Do: Contact Woolworths directly using the phone number on your receipt or the official Woolworths website to verify any fraud claims
• Do: Block the number 0280111612 in your phone settings to prevent future calls
• Do: Report the number to your phone provider if you receive repeated calls

How to Report 02 8011 1612

If you receive a scam call from 02 8011 1612 or 0280111612, report it to the following Australian resources:

• Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the impersonation attempt and any information you shared
• ACMA: acma.gov.au - Lodge a formal complaint about the scam call
• Woolworths directly: Contact the official Woolworths customer service line to alert them of scammers using their brand name
• Reverseau: Report your experience with 02 8011 1612 to help protect other Australians from this scam

Community reports are essential for identifying emerging scam patterns. If you receive a call from this number or similar impersonation attempts, your report helps track scammer activity and protects others.

Frequently Asked Questions