- Scam
Community report for 02 8550 4605 (0285504605): Caller falsely claimed unauthorized Woolworths charge of $400 to pressure victim into action.
Woolworths Impersonation Scam Reports for 02 8550 4605
One contributor has reported receiving a call from 02 8550 4605 (also written as 0285504605) impersonating Woolworths to fabricate a fraudulent charge. The caller claimed an unauthorised transaction of $400 had been charged to the recipient's account, attempting to create urgency and panic. The contributor recognised this as a scam since they do not shop at Woolworths and would not have incurred such a charge.
This type of impersonation attack targets Woolworths customers by exploiting brand recognition and familiarity with legitimate billing practices. The $400 amount suggests the scammer was testing a mid-range sum to appear credible while remaining significant enough to prompt immediate action from worried recipients.
What the Caller from 02 8550 4605 Claimed
The caller impersonating Woolworths told the recipient that a $400 charge had been applied to their account without authorisation. This false claim was designed to trigger alarm and push the victim toward disclosing payment details, confirming account information, or transferring funds to "resolve" the fraudulent charge. The scammer relied on the psychological pressure of a large unexpected debit to bypass normal caution.
By invoking Woolworths by name, the caller attempted to borrow legitimacy from a trusted major retailer. This tactic exploits the fact that most Australians are familiar with Woolworths billing and payment processes, making the false claim seem initially plausible to recipients who are not already suspicious.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8550 4605
If 0285504605 calls you or any similar unknown number claiming fraudulent charges:
- Do not: Confirm your account details, provide passwords, card numbers, or banking information; return the call to the number provided; take immediate action based on urgency claims
- Do: Hang up immediately; contact Woolworths directly using the phone number on your statement or their official website to verify any claims; check your actual account and transaction history yourself; block the number if it calls again
- Remember: Legitimate retailers never pressure you to act immediately on billing disputes or request sensitive information via unsolicited calls
How to Report 02 8550 4605
Report this number and your experience through the following Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au - include the time of call, what was claimed, and any tactics used
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au about the unwanted or deceptive call
- Woolworths: Contact Woolworths directly to report that their brand is being used in scam calls, so they can alert their fraud team
- Reverseau: Contribute your report here to help other Australians identify calls from 02 8550 4605
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WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Called saying Woolworths charged me 400 bucks but I don't shop there, obvious scam
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Should I call back 02 8550 4605 to verify the Woolworths charge?
No. Do not call back 0285504605 - this is exactly what the scammer wants. Instead, hang up and independently contact Woolworths using the customer service number on your receipt, statement, or their official website. This way you verify the claim through a trusted channel you control, not a number provided by the caller.
What if I did give information to the caller from 02 8550 4605?
Contact your bank immediately to report the interaction with 0285504605. If you provided card details, account numbers, or passwords, ask your bank to monitor for fraudulent transactions and consider cancelling and reissuing cards. Contact Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au to report the incident, and ACMA at acma.gov.au to flag the deceptive call.
Could this be a real Woolworths charge that I'm not remembering?
The original report states the contributor does not shop at Woolworths, making the $400 claim impossible. You can verify by logging into your own bank or card account directly to see all transactions. Woolworths transactions appear in your transaction history with the merchant name clearly shown. If you see no Woolworths charge, then a caller claiming one is definitely a scammer.
Why would a scammer target me with a Woolworths charge?
Woolworths is Australia's largest supermarket chain, so most Australians have shopped there or are familiar with their brand. Scammers use recognisable company names to exploit brand trust. A $400 charge is large enough to cause concern but not so large it seems obviously fake. This makes the lie more effective at triggering panic and bypassing critical thinking.
How can I stop receiving calls like the one from 02 8550 4605?
Block 0285504605 in your phone settings immediately after confirming it's a scam. Register your number with the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au to reduce telemarketing calls (though this won't stop determined scammers). Report the number to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au so authorities can track the pattern. Consider using your phone's spam-blocking features.
Is 02 8550 4605 definitely a scam or could it be legitimate?
Based on the report, 0285504605 is definitively a scam. The caller falsely claimed a Woolworths charge for someone who doesn't shop there - this is fraud by definition. Legitimate companies never contact you with vague fraud claims and pressure for immediate action. The contributor correctly identified this as an obvious scam. Treat any similar unsolicited call from 02 8550 4605 as a scam attempt.