- Uncertain
- Unknown
Community reports for 02 8271 3978 (0282713978): Callers impersonate service providers with urgent warnings about service disconnection. Repeated calls with hang-ups also reported.
Impersonation and Urgency Scam Reports for 02 8271 3978
Three contributors have reported suspicious activity from 02 8271 3978 (also written as 0282713978), with one report describing a clear impersonation and urgency tactic. A caller claimed the recipient's phone would be out of service that same day, using the generic greeting "hello user" followed by the disconnection threat. This combination of impersonation (posing as a service provider) and artificial urgency (same-day service loss) is a common scam pattern designed to pressure victims into immediate action without verification.
The number is allocated to Optus Networks Pty Limited as a local service in NSW, though the caller's false claims about service suspension suggest the number has been spoofed or misused to make the impersonation appear legitimate.
Call Patterns Reported for 0282713978
Beyond the scam call, contributors describe a separate pattern of nuisance activity from 02 8271 3978. One contributor received three consecutive calls from this number, each time the caller hung up immediately. This type of repeated hang-up behaviour can serve multiple purposes in scam operations: identifying active phone numbers for targeted campaigns, probing responses, or attempting callback scams where the victim initiates contact.
Most concerning is a third report indicating this problem recurs regularly. The contributor noted receiving calls from 02 8271 3978 on the same day, followed by similar calls from different numbers the next day, with this pattern continuing for two weeks. This suggests either a coordinated campaign using multiple numbers or a spoofing operation cycling through phone number variations.
What Callers from 02 8271 3978 Say
The specific message reported was minimal but strategic: "Hello user, phone will be out of service today." The use of generic "user" rather than the person's name, combined with the vague threat of service loss, are hallmarks of impersonation scams. Legitimate service providers like Optus always address customers by name and provide specific account details when discussing service issues.
The urgency tactic (claiming same-day service disconnection) is designed to bypass rational decision-making. Real service suspension warnings come with notice periods, account numbers, and direct links to official customer portals, not rushed calls from numbers that may be spoofed.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8271 3978
If 02 8271 3978 calls you:
- Do not: Answer unknown calls, return the call, or provide any personal or account information
- Do not: Click links, download software, or take immediate action based on the caller's claims
- Do: Let it go to voicemail if the number is unknown
- Do: Hang up immediately if the caller claims your service will be disconnected and cannot provide your account details or name
- Do: Verify any service suspension claim directly by calling Optus on their official number from your bill or their website, never using a number the caller provides
- Do: Block this number (02 8271 3978 / 0282713978) in your phone settings to prevent further calls
How to Report 02 8271 3978
If you receive scam or nuisance calls from 02 8271 3978 (0282713978), report the activity to Australian authorities:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the call at acma.gov.au, which investigates misleading or deceptive phone conduct and number spoofing
- Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au describing the false service disconnection claim and any personal details requested
- Optus customer support: Contact Optus directly to report that their number (or a spoofed version) is being used for scam calls, as they can investigate potential account compromise or number spoofing
- Reverseau community: Contribute your experience with 02 8271 3978 to help other Australians identify this activity
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8271 3978!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Same problem on same day, next day different number, happening regularly for two weeks
Rang 3 times and hung up
Message saying hello user, phone will be out of service today
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8271 3978!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would a scammer use a number like 02 8271 3978 allocated to a real telecommunications provider?
Scammers frequently spoof numbers belonging to legitimate companies like Optus Networks to increase credibility during calls. The actual caller may be using VoIP or call-routing software to make their outgoing number appear as 02 8271 3978 (0282713978), even though they have no connection to that company or number. Contributors who checked with Optus directly found no record of legitimate service suspension notices, confirming the impersonation.
What should I do if 02 8271 3978 claims my phone will be disconnected?
Do not take any action based on the call. Hang up immediately and independently verify using official channels. Contact Optus directly using the phone number on your bill or their official website, never using a number provided by the caller. Legitimate service providers always provide account reference numbers and advance notice through multiple channels (SMS, email, letter) before disconnection, not a single vague call claiming same-day loss of service.
Why does 0282713978 keep calling and hanging up?
Repeated hang-up calls from a single number or coordinated numbers (as one contributor experienced) may serve several purposes: verifying the phone line is active and monitored, harvesting metadata about when you're available, or setting up for callback scams where you call the number back. One contributor reported this pattern occurring daily for two weeks alongside calls from different numbers, suggesting an automated or semi-automated campaign.
Is the allocation to Optus Networks real?
The number 02 8271 3978 is genuinely allocated to Optus Networks Pty Limited as a local service in NSW, but this does not mean Optus initiated the calls you received. Scammers exploit legitimate phone number allocations by spoofing them through VoIP services. If you receive suspicious calls claiming to be from Optus using 02 8271 3978 (0282713978), report the incident directly to Optus through their official website or customer service line to alert them to the spoofing activity.
How can I protect myself from calls like the ones from 02 8271 3978?
Block 02 8271 3978 (0282713978) immediately in your phone's settings to prevent further calls. Register your number on the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au if you haven't already, though scammers often ignore this. For any unexpected service suspension claims, always hang up and independently contact the company using an official number from your bill or their website. Never provide personal, banking, or account information based on unsolicited calls.
Should I report this to anyone besides Reverseau?
Yes. Report the activity to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) if money or personal information was requested or if you believe the call was a genuine scam attempt. Report to ACMA (acma.gov.au) to help investigate number spoofing and impersonation behaviour. Notify Optus directly so they can investigate whether 02 8271 3978 has been compromised or if the number is being spoofed by external actors. Community reports on Reverseau help other Australians identify similar calls from 0282713978.