- Scam
- Spam
02 9052 0367 (0290520367): Community reports describe fake Windows Defender alerts on Facebook directing to callback scams claiming computer infection.
Windows Defender Tech Support Scam Reports for 02 9052 0367
Three contributors have reported scam activity involving 02 9052 0367 (also written as 0290520367) posing as Microsoft or Windows Defender. The pattern centres on fraudulent pop-up alerts appearing on Facebook, claiming the recipient's computer is infected with malware or security threats. These fake alerts direct victims to call 02 9052 0367 to resolve the supposed issue.
One contributor received a direct call from 0290520367 claiming their computer was infected and instructing them not to reboot the device, a common tactic used to create panic and prevent victims from verifying the scam independently. Another report details a suspicious Facebook pop-up claiming to be Windows Defender that redirected to this number, which allegedly routed to a location in Columbus, Ohio in the United States.
What Callers from 02 9052 0367 Claim
Contributors report that callers impersonating Microsoft or Windows Defender employ high-pressure language and urgency. The scam narrative involves telling victims their computer is infected, actively threatening, or under attack. Callers specifically instruct recipients not to restart their device, framing this instruction as necessary to preserve evidence of the infection or prevent data loss.
The impersonation is deliberate and specific - callers claim direct affiliation with Microsoft's Windows security services, lending false credibility to the threat. One contributor noted the caller already seemed to have targeted them through a Facebook phishing link designed to appear legitimate, increasing the perceived authority of the subsequent callback request from 0290520367.
Report Channels and Patterns
Reports about 02 9052 0367 come through multiple vectors. Two contributors answered direct calls claiming computer infection issues. One contributor encountered a fake Windows Defender pop-up on Facebook that directed them to call this number. A fourth report described an automated voicemail message from 0290520367 offering refund or representative callback options, typical of robocall campaigns.
The consistency of the Windows Defender or Microsoft impersonation across three separate reports suggests an organised scam operation. Contributors reported these incidents between July 2023 and November 2025, indicating the scam has persisted over an extended period.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9052 0367
If 02 9052 0367 calls you:
- Do not: Answer or call back, allow remote access to your computer, follow any instructions about not restarting, or provide personal or financial information
- Do: Hang up immediately, block the number, and verify any security concerns directly through official Microsoft channels or your device manufacturer's legitimate support site
- Remember: Microsoft and Windows will never call you unsolicited about malware or security threats. Legitimate security alerts appear within your device's native settings, not via Facebook pop-ups or unsolicited calls
What to Do If You See a Facebook Pop-Up Claiming to Be Windows Defender
Scammers frequently use fake security alerts on social media platforms to create urgency and direct victims to callback numbers like 0290520367.
- Do not: Click any buttons in the pop-up, call any number provided in the alert, or follow instructions to download software or restart your device
- Do: Close the browser tab or Facebook window entirely, clear your browser cache and cookies, and report the fake alert to Facebook as phishing or scam content
- Verify separately: Check your device's actual security status using built-in tools (Windows Defender, macOS Security, etc.) or contact the manufacturer's official support number listed on their website
How to Report 02 9052 0367
If you receive calls or messages from 02 9052 0367, report the activity to Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the tech support scam with details of what the caller claimed
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Lodge a complaint about unsolicited or scam calls
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - Report phishing links and fraudulent pop-ups encountered on social media
- Facebook: Use the in-app report function to flag the fake Windows Defender pop-up as phishing or scam content
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 02 9052 0367 to help warn other Australians about this scam
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9052 0367!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Dodgy screen popped up on Facebook claiming to be Windows Defender, told me to call this number, went to US Columbia Ohio, total scam
Call saying computer infected and not to reboot, wanted me to call a number back
Claimed to be Microsoft posing on Facebook
Automated message offering refund or to speak with rep, didn't call back
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9052 0367!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
I saw a Windows Defender pop-up on Facebook directing me to call 02 9052 0367. Is this legitimate?
No. Microsoft and Windows will never send security alerts through Facebook pop-ups or direct you to call an unknown number. The pop-up claiming to be Windows Defender and directing you to 02 9052 0367 is a phishing scam. Close the pop-up immediately without clicking anything, and report it to Facebook as phishing content. If you have genuine security concerns, check your device's actual security status using built-in tools or visit Microsoft's official website.
A caller from 02 9052 0367 said my computer is infected and told me not to reboot. Should I be concerned?
Yes, but not about your computer. This is a common tech support scam tactic. Callers claim your device is infected to create panic, and instructing you not to restart prevents you from independently verifying whether any threat actually exists. 02 9052 0367 callers impersonating Microsoft have no legitimate reason to contact you this way. Hang up immediately, do not follow their instructions, and your computer is almost certainly fine.
What should I do if I already called 0290520367 back and provided information?
Contact your bank immediately if you shared any financial details. If you allowed remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet, run a legitimate antivirus scan (Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, or similar), and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Report the incident to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) so authorities can track this 02 9052 0367 scam operation.
How can I tell the difference between a real Windows security alert and a fake one from 0290520367?
Real Windows security alerts appear within your device's native settings or security app, not in pop-ups on websites or social media. Legitimate Microsoft support will never ask you to call an external number or provide remote access without you initiating the contact. If you see a Windows Defender alert claiming you need to call 02 9052 0367, it is fake. Verify your device's actual security status by opening Windows Defender directly from your device settings.
Should I block 02 9052 0367 after receiving a scam call?
Yes. Block 0290520367 immediately if it calls you. However, scammers frequently use spoofed numbers, so blocking this specific number may not prevent calls from the same operation using different caller IDs. Also report the call to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) to help authorities track the scam network.
Why do scammers impersonating Microsoft target Facebook users?
Facebook's large user base and open architecture make it ideal for scammers to distribute fake security alerts and phishing links. Older users and less tech-savvy individuals are more likely to trust what appears to be an official Windows or Microsoft alert, especially if it creates a sense of urgency about computer security. The fake pop-ups directing to 02 9052 0367 exploit this trust, making Facebook a common vector for tech support scams.