- Suspicious
One contributor reports a recorded voicemail from 02 8552 8473 (0285528473) falsely claiming to be from the Australian Immigration Department.
Immigration Department Impersonation Report for 02 8552 8473
A contributor has reported receiving a recorded voicemail message from 02 8552 8473 (also written as 0285528473) impersonating the Australian Immigration Department. The call came through as a local NSW number provided by Symbio Networks. This type of impersonation targeting immigration matters represents a serious social engineering threat, as it attempts to exploit concerns about visa status, residency, or compliance with immigration regulations.
What the Recorded Message Claimed
The voicemail left on the contributor's phone specifically identified itself as being from the Immigration Department. The use of a recorded message rather than a live caller is a common tactic in these impersonation attempts, as it reduces the risk of immediate detection through conversation and allows scammers to distribute calls at scale. The contributor received this message on 02 8552 8473, which appears to be operating as a local service number in New South Wales.
Why Immigration Department Impersonation Is High-Risk
Callers impersonating government agencies like the Immigration Department rely on creating urgency and fear around immigration status. Recipients may be pressured to provide personal identification information, passport details, visa information, or payment details under the guise of resolving an urgent compliance issue. The fact that 0285528473 used a recorded message suggests an automated or semi-automated operation designed to reach multiple targets efficiently.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8552 8473
If you receive a call or voicemail from 02 8552 8473 claiming to be from the Immigration Department:
- Do not: Return the call, provide any personal information, passport details, or visa information, or follow any instructions given in the message
- Do: Hang up immediately, block the number 0285528473 on your phone, and verify any immigration matter directly through the official Department of Home Affairs website or by calling their official line
- Do: Never assume a caller is legitimate based on caller ID - impersonators can spoof numbers
- Do: Be aware that the real Immigration Department will not demand immediate payment or threaten visa cancellation via unsolicited calls
How to Report 02 8552 8473
If you receive impersonation calls from 02 8552 8473, report them through official Australian government channels:
- Scamwatch: Report the impersonation at scamwatch.gov.au - Scamwatch tracks government impersonation scams and provides consumer alerts
- ACMA: Lodge a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au - ACMA investigates misleading or deceptive telecommunications conduct
- Department of Home Affairs: Report the impersonation directly at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au - they maintain records of impersonation attempts using their name
- Reverseau: Contribute your report to Reverseau to help other Australians identify 0285528473 - community reports strengthen awareness of this number
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What Our Users Reviewed
Recorded message claiming to be from Immigration Department
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8552 8473 a real Immigration Department number?
No. The real Department of Home Affairs does not initiate contact via unsolicited voicemail messages claiming urgent compliance issues. If you need to contact the Department of Home Affairs, visit their official website or look up the correct number yourself rather than calling back 02 8552 8473 or any number from a voicemail. Real government agencies will never pressure you for payment or threaten immediate action over an unverified call.
What should I do if the voicemail from 0285528473 asked me to call back?
Do not call back 0285528473. This is a common impersonation tactic - callers want you to return the call so they can conduct the scam directly. Instead, independently verify any immigration matter by contacting the Department of Home Affairs through their official channels listed on their website. Never use contact details provided by an unsolicited caller.
How did scammers using 02 8552 8473 get my phone number?
Immigration impersonation scammers often source contact lists from data breaches, publicly available directories, or simply dial numbers sequentially. The fact that 0285528473 reached you doesn't mean your specific information was targeted - this number appears to be part of a broader robocall or voicemail campaign hitting multiple recipients with the same recorded message.
Can I block 02 8552 8473 on my phone?
Yes. Most Australian mobile phones and home phones allow you to block specific numbers. Add 02 8552 8473 or 0285528473 to your blocked list so future calls or voicemails from this number are automatically rejected. However, scammers may call from different numbers, so always remain cautious with unsolicited immigration-related calls.
What personal information should I never share with callers claiming to be from Immigration?
Never share your passport number, visa details, date of birth, address, bank account information, or credit card details with any unsolicited caller - even if they claim to be from the Immigration Department. Real immigration officials will not ask for sensitive details via unsolicited calls. If you have a genuine immigration matter, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using contact information you find independently, not from the caller on 02 8552 8473.
Should I report this to ACMA even though it was just a voicemail from 0285528473?
Yes. ACMA investigates misleading or deceptive telecommunications conduct, including impersonation voicemails. Reporting 02 8552 8473 to ACMA at acma.gov.au helps them identify patterns of scam activity and take action against the service provider. Additionally, report to Scamwatch and the Department of Home Affairs to create a complete record of this impersonation number.