- Scam
02 8317 1800 (0283171800): Contributors report automated robocalls impersonating Australian Immigration claiming visa problems. Recorded female voice delivers scam message to unsuspecting recipients.
Immigration Impersonation Robocall Reports for 02 8317 1800
Two contributors have reported receiving automated robocalls from 02 8317 1800 (also written as 0283171800) impersonating Australian Immigration. Both reports describe a recorded message delivered in a formal English accent claiming there is a problem with the recipient's visa, a classic scam tactic designed to trigger urgency and compliance from callers unfamiliar with such fraud.
The number is allocated to Symbio Networks Pty Ltd as a local service in New South Wales. The use of a recorded female voice adds a veneer of legitimacy to the impersonation, making it harder for some recipients to immediately recognise the call as fraudulent.
What Callers from 02 8317 1800 Say
The automated message from 0283171800 begins with "This is Immigration. There is a problem with your visa..." before the call is typically disconnected or the recipient hangs up. One contributor noted they immediately recognised the scam because they are an Australian citizen with no current visas, making the claim obviously false.
The recorded message uses formal English phrasing and a professional tone designed to mimic government communication style. However, the generic nature of the claim (problem with visa) combined with the lack of personalisation (no specific visa type, dates, or action items mentioned) are red flags that distinguish this from legitimate government contact.
Report Patterns and Timing
Both reports about 02 8317 1800 came in within 24 hours of each other, with one arriving as a voicemail and another when the call was answered directly. This suggests the robocall campaign may be active and ongoing. One contributor received the call today (24 March 2026), indicating the number remains in current use for this scam activity.
The use of voicemail and call-answering channels suggests the scammers are casting a wide net with automated dialling, likely cycling through batches of Australian phone numbers without targeting specific individuals.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8317 1800
If 02 8317 1800 calls you:
- Do not: Engage with the recorded message, press any numbers, or call back the number
- Do not: Provide any personal information, visa details, or passport numbers
- Do: Hang up immediately when you hear the automated message
- Do: Block 0283171800 on your phone to prevent future calls
- Do: Verify any immigration-related claims by contacting the Department of Home Affairs directly using official contact details from their website
- Do: Remember that legitimate government agencies do not contact you via unsolicited calls about visa problems
What to Do If You Receive a Voicemail from 02 8317 1800
If 0283171800 leaves a voicemail:
- Do not: Return the call or press any numbers mentioned in the message
- Do: Delete the voicemail without engaging
- Do: Report the number as spam or scam in your phone's voicemail settings
- Do: Block the number to prevent future contact
How to Report 02 8317 1800
If you receive a scam call from 02 8317 1800 (0283171800), report it to:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call, message content, and timing
- ACMA: Report the robocall to the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au - they track scam robocall campaigns
- Services Australia: If the scam relates to government benefits claims, report it at servicesaustralia.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 02 8317 1800 to help warn other Australians about this active scam number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8317 1800!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
When answered, a recorded message (female formal English accent) said," This is Immigration. There is a problem with your Visa..." I hung up because I am a Citizen and do not have any current Visas for anywhere. Obviously a scam.
Recorded message saying hello this is Immigration, there's a problem with your visa, hung up immediately since I'm Australian citizen with no visas
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8317 1800!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8317 1800 a real government number?
No. 02 8317 1800 (0283171800) is being used for scam robocalls and does not belong to Australian Immigration or any legitimate government agency. Real government calls will not pressure you about visa problems via unsolicited robocalls. You can verify any claim by contacting the Department of Home Affairs directly using official contact details from their website.
Why would scammers call about visa problems?
Visa-related scams targeting 02 8317 1800 work because they create urgency and fear. The scammers hope that some recipients will panic and call back or provide personal information thinking there is a genuine immigration issue. Australian citizens who receive the call from 0283171800 are often confused initially, even though they know they have no visas, giving scammers a moment to gather information.
What should I do if I already gave information to 02 8317 1800?
If you provided personal details like your name, date of birth, or passport information to a call from 0283171800, monitor your accounts carefully for suspicious activity. Consider placing a fraud alert with your bank and checking your credit report. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and monitor official government portals like myGov for any unauthorised access.
Can I block 02 8317 1800 permanently?
Yes. You can block 0283171800 on most modern phones using your phone's built-in settings or a third-party call-blocking app. Blocking will prevent future calls from 02 8317 1800, though scammers may use different numbers for subsequent campaigns. Always check caller ID carefully and remain skeptical of unsolicited government claims.
Is this robocall from 02 8317 1800 targeting specific people?
No. The robocall from 0283171800 appears to be a broad automated campaign using recorded messages and cycling through batches of phone numbers. The generic nature of the visa claim (not mentioning specific visa types or details) and the voicemail/answered-call mix suggest scammers are using mass-dialling tactics rather than targeting individuals with prior research.
Should I report 02 8317 1800 to the police?
You can report the scam from 0283171800 to your local police, though priority is reporting to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au), which coordinate national scam tracking. If you lost money or believe identity theft has occurred, police involvement becomes more important. Lodge a report with Reverseau as well to help other Australians recognise 02 8317 1800 as a scam number.