- Uncertain
- Suspicious
- Spam
- Scam
Community reports for 02 8617 0524 (0286170524) describe tech support threats, repeated calls, and robotic menus. Callers claim IP addresses are exposed on public servers.
Tech Support Threats and Robocall Activity for 02 8617 0524
Three contributors have reported suspicious activity from 02 8617 0524 (also written as 0286170524), a local service number allocated to Symbio Networks in NSW. The reports indicate a pattern of tech support intimidation tactics combined with repeated automated calling - a common hallmark of tech support scams targeting Australian internet users.
One contributor received a call from 0286170524 where the caller claimed their internet IP address was exposed on a public server, using this threat to create urgency. The caller hung up immediately after making the claim, a behaviour typical of scammers testing responses before escalating to financial pressure tactics. Two other reports about 02 8617 0524 describe similar abrupt hang-ups and robotic menu systems, suggesting coordinated repeated calling attempts.
What Callers from 02 8617 0524 Are Doing
The community reports reveal a multi-pronged approach. One caller from 02 8617 0524 used technical language to intimidate - specifically claiming the recipient's IP address was accessible on a public server. This is a classic tech support scam opening designed to bypass initial scepticism by appearing knowledgeable about internet security.
A second report about 0286170524 describes a robotic menu system, where the caller said "hi" followed by a dodgy greeting before disconnecting. The contributor noted receiving a similar robotic call the previous day, indicating deliberate repeated contact. This pattern of automated testing followed by human interaction is consistent with scammers cycling through numbers to identify active accounts and responsive targets.
Call Patterns and Timing
The reports about 02 8617 0524 span several days in late May and early June 2026. One contributor received repeated calls from 0286170524 within a 24-hour period - first a robotic menu call, then a human caller with the IP threat. Another report notes the initial hang-up occurred on 5 June, suggesting ongoing activity from this number.
The variety of approaches - robotic menus, human callers with specific threats, and abrupt disconnections - points to active scammer operation rather than random dialling. Contributors who answered calls from 02 8617 0524 report the calls lasted only seconds to minutes, with callers hanging up when they received a response or sensed scepticism.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8617 0524
If 02 8617 0524 calls you:
- Do not: Accept claims about your IP address, internet security, or computer problems. Do not follow instructions to visit websites, download software, or access your computer remotely. Do not provide any personal information, banking details, or passwords.
- Do: Hang up immediately. Never return the call or engage with any follow-up messages. Block the number 0286170524 on your phone to prevent further contact attempts. If you're unsure about your internet security, contact your legitimate internet service provider directly using a number from their official website or bill.
- Verify independently: If a caller claims your IP is compromised, contact your actual ISP through official channels (not numbers provided by the caller). Legitimate tech support will never threaten you or create artificial urgency.
How to Report 02 8617 0524
Report this number and your experience to the following Australian government resources:
- Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) - report tech support scam attempts with details of what the caller claimed
- ACMA (acma.gov.au) - report the number as spam/scam and provide call details including date and time
- ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) - if the caller attempted to gain remote access or you provided any personal information
- Do Not Call Register (donotcall.gov.au) - you can register your number, though this primarily covers telemarketing rather than scam calls
You can also contribute your own experience with 02 8617 0524 on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number. Even brief reports (such as "robotic menu hang-up" or "IP threat claim") help build the community picture of this number's behaviour.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8617 0524!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Flagged as potential fraud so I blocked it
Hung up upon answering.
Answered, they said hi then some dodgy greeting and hung up, got a similar call yesterday with a robotic menu, someone's just testing numbers
Told me my internet IP was on some public server, hung up straight away
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8617 0524!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8617 0524 a real internet company checking my IP address?
No. Legitimate internet service providers and security companies will never call you unprompted claiming your IP is exposed on a public server. If 0286170524 calls you with this claim, it's a scam tactic. Your actual ISP has your account details and would contact you through official channels if there were genuine issues. Never call back a number that called you with security threats - always initiate contact with your ISP using the number on your bill or their official website.
Why does 02 8617 0524 hang up when I answer?
The contributor reports about 0286170524 describe callers hanging up immediately after threatening claims or after receiving minimal response. Scammers often use this tactic to test whether a number is active and monitored. They may hang up if they suspect scepticism or if they're cycling through hundreds of numbers using automated systems. Some hang up to avoid longer conversation trails that could be reported to authorities.
Should I call back 0286170524 to find out who it is?
No. Do not return a call to 02 8617 0524. If it's a scam number (as the community reports suggest), calling back may connect you to scammers who will attempt to manipulate you into installing software or revealing personal information. If you're genuinely concerned about your internet security, contact your internet service provider directly using a number from your bill or their official website - not a number provided by an unsolicited caller.
What does the robotic menu from 02 8617 0524 do?
According to one contributor's report, the robotic menu from 0286170524 involved an automated system saying "hi" followed by an unclear greeting before disconnecting. This type of call is typically used by scammers to verify that a phone number is active and answered by a real person. Once they confirm your number is active, they may follow up with human callers attempting more sophisticated scams - such as the IP address threat reported in another contributor's experience with 02 8617 0524.
I gave my details to a caller from 0286170524 - what should I do?
If you provided any personal information, banking details, passwords, or allowed remote access to your computer during a call from 02 8617 0524, take immediate action: Contact your bank and internet service provider to alert them. Change passwords for any accounts the caller may have mentioned. Run antivirus or antimalware scans on your computer. Report the incident to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). Consider contacting the Australian Federal Police's Cybercrime Online Reporting Portal if financial loss or identity theft occurred.
Why is 02 8617 0524 using a legitimate NSW internet provider's number?
The number 0286170524 is allocated to Symbio Networks (a real NSW-based service provider), but scammers can spoof caller IDs to display legitimate business numbers. Seeing a real company name or number on your caller ID does not guarantee the call is genuine - tech support scammers frequently impersonate or spoof legitimate internet provider numbers to increase credibility. Always verify by contacting the company directly using an independently confirmed phone number, never one provided by an unsolicited caller.