- Scam
Community report for 02 8190 1604 (0281901604): Caller impersonated telco, falsely claimed IP address had been switched to public, hung up when challenged.
Tech Support Impersonation Scam from 02 8190 1604
One contributor has reported a tech support impersonation scam from 02 8190 1604 (also written as 0281901604). The caller claimed to be from the recipient's telco provider and attempted to convince them that their IP address had been switched from private to public - a technical claim designed to create urgency and pressure for remote access to their device.
The scam tactic relied on impersonation combined with fake technical language. When the contributor questioned the claim and rejected it, the caller immediately hung up, suggesting the script fell apart once resistance was encountered.
What the Caller from 02 8190 1604 Said
According to the report, the caller from 0281901604 had an accent and used a familiar approach typical of tech support scams. The specific claim made was that the recipient's IP had been "switched from private to public" - language intended to sound technically credible while being vague enough to avoid easy verification.
This is a classic remote-access tech support scam tactic. Scammers use fake technical claims to establish false urgency, with the goal of gaining remote access to a computer or device where they can install malware, steal login credentials, or extort payment.
How the Scam Worked
The approach taken by 02 8190 1604 follows a predictable pattern:
- Initial contact claiming to be from a legitimate telco provider
- Introduction of a fake technical problem (IP address change)
- Implication of danger or compromise to the recipient's system
- Expected next step: requesting permission to access the device remotely
- Immediate abandonment when the recipient questioned the claim
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8190 1604
If 02 8190 1604 calls you, follow these steps:
- Do not: Allow remote access to your device, provide any passwords or personal information, or follow instructions to install software
- Do: Hang up immediately, block the number, and verify any technical claims by calling your actual telco directly using the number on your bill or official website
- Verify independently: Your telco will never call you unsolicited to claim your IP address has changed. If you're concerned about your network settings, contact your provider through official channels
- Do not engage: Even questioning the caller, as seen in the contributor's experience, may only delay the scam rather than prevent it
How to Report 02 8190 1604
If you receive a call from 02 8190 1604, report it through these Australian channels:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam attempt at scamwatch.gov.au - this helps authorities track scam patterns
- ACMA: File a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au regarding unsolicited calls and scam activity
- ReportCyber: If you provided any information or the caller accessed your device, report it to cyber.gov.au
- Your telco: Contact your actual service provider to report the impersonation attempt
- Reverseau: Add your own report here to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8190 1604!
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What Our Users Reviewed
Bloke with an accent said he was from my telco, told me my IP had been switched from private to public, I said no it hadn't and he hung up, total scammer, blocked him
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8190 1604!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What is a tech support impersonation scam?
A tech support impersonation scam, like the one reported for 02 8190 1604 (0281901604), involves a scammer pretending to be from your telco or software company and claiming your device has a technical problem. The goal is to gain remote access to steal data, install malware, or extort payment. The contributor who received the call from 02 8190 1604 was told their IP had been switched to public - a fake claim designed to sound technical and urgent.
Why did the caller from 0281901604 hang up?
According to the report, when the contributor questioned the claim about their IP address being switched from private to public, the caller from 0281901604 immediately hung up. This suggests the scammer's script depends on the recipient accepting the initial claim without challenge. Once resistance was encountered, the caller abandoned the call rather than risk further exposure.
How can I verify if my IP address has really changed?
If someone claiming to be from your telco calls with this claim, don't engage with them. Instead, hang up and call your actual provider directly using the number on your bill or their official website. Your legitimate telco will not call you unsolicited to report IP address changes. The caller to 02 8190 1604 was attempting a social engineering tactic, not reporting a real technical issue.
What should I do if I already gave the caller from 02 8190 1604 remote access?
If you allowed remote access before realizing it was a scam, disconnect your device from the internet immediately, change all passwords from a different device, contact your bank and telco to report the incident, and report it to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. A single report about 0281901604 shows the scammer hung up early, but if you engaged further, professional advice is recommended.
How do scammers know my telco provider?
Scammers often make generic calls claiming to be from 'your telco' without knowing which provider you actually use. Since 02 8190 1604 is allocated to Symbio Networks in NSW, the caller may have targeted recipients in that area or used a common telco name. Many recipients will have the provider they guessed, making the impersonation seem credible at first.
Should I call back 0281901604 to report the scam?
No. Do not call back 02 8190 1604 or engage further with the number. Calling back confirms your number is active and may lead to additional scam attempts. Instead, report the call to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, ACMA at acma.gov.au, and block the number in your phone. Let authorities handle the investigation rather than contacting the scammer directly.