- Scam
Community report for 02 8190 1978 (0281901978): Caller impersonated Federal Police with non-Australian accent. Potential scam.
Federal Police Impersonation Report for 02 8190 1978
One contributor has reported receiving a call from 02 8190 1978 (also written as 0281901978) where the caller claimed to be from the Federal Police. The contributor noted the caller had a Southeast Asian accent, which raised immediate suspicion given the claimed identity. This type of impersonation attempt is a known scam tactic, particularly when the caller's voice characteristics don't match the stated organisation.
The call came through a local Sydney number allocated to Symbio Networks Pty Ltd in NSW, making it appear legitimate at first glance. However, the accent mismatch is a significant red flag that suggests the call did not originate from an Australian Federal Police officer.
What the Caller from 02 8190 1978 Claimed
The contributor who answered the call from 0281901978 reported that the caller explicitly stated they were calling from the Federal Police. No further details about specific demands or threats were recorded in the report, but the impersonation itself is the primary concern. Federal Police impersonation calls typically precede requests for urgent payment, personal information, or confirmation of banking details.
The accent discrepancy noted by the contributor is a practical indicator of call spoofing or offshore operation. Legitimate Australian Federal Police would not typically place outbound calls with non-Australian speakers, making this a useful identifying feature for recipients of similar calls from 02 8190 1978.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8190 1978
If 02 8190 1978 or 0281901978 contacts you:
- Do not: Engage with claims about police involvement, law enforcement action, or legal matters. Do not confirm your identity, provide personal information, or discuss financial details.
- Do: Hang up immediately. The Federal Police will never call you out of the blue demanding action or payment.
- Do: If you're concerned about a genuine matter, hang up and call the Australian Federal Police directly on 131 237 using a phone number you look up independently.
- Do: Block 02 8190 1978 on your phone to prevent future contact attempts.
- Do: Report the call to relevant authorities so the pattern can be tracked.
How to Report 02 8190 1978
If you receive a similar call from 02 8190 1978 or 0281901978, report it through these Australian government channels:
- Scamwatch: Report at scamwatch.gov.au. This is the official Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) resource for scam reports and includes advice on impersonation scams.
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA): Lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au. ACMA investigates breaches of the Telecommunications Act and tracks patterns of unwanted calls.
- Australian Federal Police: Report serious scam activity at afp.gov.au or call 131 237.
- Reverseau: Add your own report here to help other Australians identify calls from 02 8190 1978. Community contributions are essential for building a comprehensive picture of scam activity.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8190 1978!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Claimed to be from the Federal Police but accent wasn't Australian, sounded Southeast Asian
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8190 1978!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why is the accent important if 02 8190 1978 claims to be Federal Police?
Australian Federal Police officers are based in Australia and conduct official calls with Australian accents. If 02 8190 1978 calls claiming to be Federal Police but uses a non-Australian accent, it's almost certainly a scam. Scammers often operate offshore and spoof local numbers like 0281901978 to appear credible.
Can scammers really spoof a number like 02 8190 1978?
Yes. Technology allows scammers to display any phone number, including legitimate-looking local numbers like 02 8190 1978 (0281901978). The number shown on your phone doesn't confirm the caller's actual location or identity. This is why you should never trust caller ID alone.
What should I do if I've already given information to a caller from 02 8190 1978?
Contact your bank immediately if you've shared financial details. Report the call to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au). Monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity. If you disclosed personal identification details, consider placing a fraud alert with credit agencies.
Is 02 8190 1978 definitely a scam?
Based on the community report, 0281901978 has been used for Federal Police impersonation with a non-Australian accent. This is a strong indicator of scam activity. However, one report doesn't provide complete certainty. If you receive a call from 02 8190 1978, treat any police claim with extreme caution and verify independently.
How can I block 02 8190 1978 on my phone?
On most Australian phones, you can block 0281901978 by opening the call log, selecting the number 02 8190 1978, and choosing 'Block' or 'Add to Reject List'. Alternatively, use your phone's built-in call filtering settings or install a third-party app designed to block scam calls. Once blocked, calls from 02 8190 1978 will go straight to voicemail.
Should I report this to the Australian Federal Police directly?
Yes. You can report the impersonation attempt to the Australian Federal Police at afp.gov.au or by calling 131 237. This helps them track organised scam networks. You should also report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) so the telecommunications regulator can investigate the source of 02 8190 1978.