- Scam
02 8318 0879 (0283180879): Robocall impersonating Immigration claiming visa problems. Recorded message directs to press 1 for English or 2 for Chinese.
Immigration Impersonation Robocall from 02 8318 0879
A contributor has reported receiving a robocall from 02 8318 0879 (also written as 0283180879) impersonating Immigration. The recorded message claimed there was a problem with the recipient's visa and prompted callers to press 1 for English or 2 for Chinese. This is a classic impersonation tactic designed to trick people into engaging with a scam operator.
The caller ID showed 02 8318 0879, which is allocated as a local service number in New South Wales through Symbio Networks. The use of an automated recording is a red flag - legitimate government agencies like the Department of Home Affairs conduct visa-related matters through official channels and do not initiate contact via unsolicited robocalls with menu prompts.
How the 0283180879 Robocall Works
The recorded message from 02 8318 0879 is designed to appear official by referencing Immigration and offering language options. Once a caller presses 1 or 2, they are likely connected to a scammer posing as an Immigration officer. The scammer would then claim an urgent visa issue requiring immediate payment, personal information, or both.
The robocall approach from 0283180879 is cost-effective for scammers because it automatically dials large numbers of people. Those who engage by pressing a key are routed to live operators who then execute the follow-up scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8318 0879
If 02 8318 0879 calls you:
- Do not: Press any key, engage with the menu, or remain on the line
- Do not: Return the call or provide any personal or visa information
- Do: Hang up immediately
- Do: Block 0283180879 on your phone to prevent future calls
- Do: Verify any visa concerns directly by visiting the official Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) or calling their official number listed there
- Do: Report the call to ACMA and Scamwatch to help protect other Australians
Why This Impersonation Works
Immigration-related impersonation scams are particularly effective because visa holders are often concerned about their status and may be less familiar with Australian government processes. Scammers exploit this anxiety by creating urgency around a fake visa problem. The robocall from 02 8318 0879 deliberately offers language options to target non-English speakers who may be more vulnerable to the follow-up social engineering.
How to Report 02 8318 0879
Report this robocall and impersonation attempt through these official Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the impersonation and robocall tactics
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Lodge a complaint about the unsolicited robocall
- Department of Home Affairs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au - Report the impersonation of Immigration
- Reverseau: Help other Australians by contributing your experience with 02 8318 0879 to our community reports
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What Our Users Reviewed
Recorded message saying hello this is Immigration, there's a problem with your visa, press 1 for English press 2 for Chinese
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8318 0879 really from Immigration?
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not initiate contact about visa problems through unsolicited robocalls. Legitimate government agencies use official channels and do not prompt callers to press keys to reach an operator. If you have genuine visa concerns, visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or contact their official helpline directly - never call back an unsolicited number like 0283180879.
What happens if I press 1 or 2 on the 02 8318 0879 call?
Pressing a key on the robocall from 02 8318 0879 (0283180879) confirms your number is active and routes you to a live scammer. They will then impersonate an Immigration officer and attempt to extract personal information, visa details, or payment. Hang up immediately without pressing anything.
Why is a robocall from 0283180879 pretending to be Immigration?
Robocalls are cheap and efficient for scammers. By automatically calling thousands of people with the 02 8318 0879 robocall, they can identify responsive targets and hand them to live operators. Immigration impersonation is chosen because visa holders often feel anxious about their status, making them more likely to comply with urgent demands.
Can I trust the caller ID showing 02 8318 0879?
No. Caller ID can be spoofed. The fact that 02 8318 0879 displays on your phone does not mean the call is legitimate. Scammers use spoofed local numbers like 0283180879 to appear trustworthy. Never act on caller ID alone - always verify by calling official government numbers directly.
What should I do if I already gave information to the 02 8318 0879 scammer?
Contact the Department of Home Affairs immediately and let them know your details may have been compromised. If you provided payment details, contact your bank. Report the incident to Scamwatch and ACMA using the details from 02 8318 0879 (0283180879) to prevent others falling victim.
How do I report the robocall from 0283180879?
Report 02 8318 0879 to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Include the recorded message details and timing of when you received the call from 0283180879. Contributing to Reverseau also helps warn your community about this number.