02 8617 0242 - 0286170242: Immigration Impersonation Scam

• Scam
• Suspicious

02 8617 0242 (0286170242): Scam reports describe recorded voicemail impersonating Australian immigration department with threats. NSW number.

Immigration Impersonation Scam Reports for 02 8617 0242

Contributors have reported calls from 02 8617 0242 (also written as 0286170242) delivering automated immigration department impersonation scams via voicemail. One detailed report describes a recorded voice message falsely claiming to be from the Australian immigration department, designed to alarm recipients into taking immediate action. The calls appear to originate from a NSW local service provider, yet the messaging targets a national audience.

A second contributor flagged the number as suspicious after receiving a missed call with no message, noting that multiple people had searched 0286170242 on the same day, suggesting coordinated dialling activity.

What Callers from 02 8617 0242 Claim

The recorded message from 02 8617 0242 impersonates the Australian immigration department. Based on contributor reports, callers use automation to deliver their message rather than live operators, which is a common tactic to avoid detection and scale the scam across large call volumes.

The voicemail content attempts to create urgency and alarm by falsely invoking government immigration authority. This tactic typically precedes requests for personal information, payment, or verification details that scammers can use for identity theft or financial fraud.

Call Patterns and Timing

The recorded nature of calls from 0286170242 indicates a robocall campaign rather than individual targeting. One contributor noted that multiple people had searched this number on the same day, suggesting the campaign was active across multiple recipients simultaneously. The use of automated voicemail delivery allows scammers to reach hundreds of numbers in short timeframes without human operators.

Unlike scams requiring conversation, the recorded message from 02 8617 0242 leaves no opportunity for contributors to identify inconsistencies in the scammer's story or ask clarifying questions that might reveal the deception.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8617 0242

If 02 8617 0242 calls you:

• Do not: Return the call, click any links in accompanying messages, or provide personal information
• Do: Hang up immediately, do not engage with the recorded message, and block the number
• Do verify: Any immigration-related claims by contacting the Department of Home Affairs directly using contact details from their official website, never using numbers provided by the caller
• Do report: The call to both ACMA and Scamwatch to help prevent others from being targeted

How to Report 02 8617 0242

If you receive scam calls from 02 8617 0242 or 0286170242, report them to Australian authorities:

• Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call and the false claims made
• Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au for robocall and recorded message complaints
• Add 02 8617 0242 to your phone's block list to prevent future calls
• If you shared any personal information, consider reporting to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
• Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this scam number

Frequently Asked Questions