- Scam
Community report for 02 9098 2420 (0290982420): Caller impersonated federal authorities. One contributor answered and recorded the deceptive claim.
Federal Agency Impersonation Report for 02 9098 2420
One contributor has reported receiving a call from 02 9098 2420 (also written as 0290982420) where the caller claimed to represent federal authorities. The contributor answered the call and documented that the caller falsely identified themselves as being from "the feds". This type of impersonation is a common opening tactic used in scam calls to establish false authority and lower a recipient's natural defences before making fraudulent demands.
The number 0290982420 is allocated as a local service in New South Wales through Symbio Networks Pty Ltd, giving it the appearance of a standard Sydney-based business line. Scammers frequently use legitimate-looking local numbers to increase the likelihood that calls will be answered.
What Callers from 02 9098 2420 Claim
According to the report, the caller from 02 9098 2420 claimed to represent federal law enforcement or agencies (referred to as "the feds"). Contributors who encounter similar impersonation calls typically report that callers follow this initial misrepresentation with urgent demands for payment, personal information, or account access to resolve fabricated legal or financial issues.
Federal agency impersonation is particularly effective because it exploits trust in government authority. Callers banking on this psychological advantage often escalate quickly to threats of arrest, asset seizure, or legal consequences if the recipient does not comply with their demands. The fact that this caller on 0290982420 was able to connect with the contributor suggests the number may be actively used in outbound scam campaigns.
How to Protect Yourself from Calls Claiming Federal Authority
If 02 9098 2420 or any similar number calls claiming to represent federal agencies:
- Do not: Provide personal information, banking details, or passwords based on the caller's claims
- Do not: Agree to immediate payments or transfers to resolve alleged legal issues
- Do not: Provide identification numbers, driver's licence details, or tax file numbers
- Do: Hang up and independently verify by calling the relevant government agency using the official number from their website
- Do: Recognise that genuine federal agencies do not demand immediate payment by phone or threaten arrest during a call
- Do: Ask for the caller's name, agency, and reference number if you are unsure - legitimate callers will provide this without resistance
How to Report 02 9098 2420
If you receive similar impersonation calls from 02 9098 2420 (0290982420) or other numbers claiming to represent federal authorities, you can report the incident to multiple Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: Report the call at scamwatch.gov.au - Scamwatch tracks scam patterns and provides warnings to the public
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au about the use of this number for scam purposes
- ReportCyber: If the scam involved attempts to gain access to your online accounts or computer, report it at cyber.gov.au
- Local police: File a report with NSW Police if you believe you have been targeted or defrauded
- Reverseau community: Report this number on Reverseau to help other Australians identify the same scam caller
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9098 2420!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Recorded AI voice claiming to be from a bank alerting me to a $1000+ charge on my card
Said they were from the feds
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9098 2420!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if 02 9098 2420 calls me claiming to be from the feds?
Hang up immediately and do not provide any information. Do not return the call to 0290982420. If you need to verify the claim, independently call the relevant federal agency using the official phone number from their website. Genuine government agencies never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest during unsolicited calls.
Why would a scammer impersonate federal authorities when calling 02 9098 2420?
Federal agency impersonation exploits people's natural respect for law enforcement and government authority. By falsely claiming to represent "the feds", callers aim to create urgency and fear, making recipients less likely to question their demands. This tactic is particularly effective because most people assume government calls are legitimate.
Is 0290982420 a real government phone number?
No. While 02 9098 2420 appears to be a legitimate Sydney local number (allocated through Symbio Networks), it has been reported for scam impersonation. Real federal agencies will not contact you unexpectedly by phone demanding payment or personal information. Always independently verify government contact by calling the official agency number.
What should I do if I already gave information to a caller from 02 9098 2420?
If you provided banking details, passwords, personal identification, or other sensitive information to a caller claiming to be from federal authorities on this number, contact your bank immediately to protect your accounts. Also report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and consider freezing your credit with Australian credit reporting agencies.
Can I block 02 9098 2420 on my phone?
Yes. Most Australian mobile phones allow you to block incoming calls from specific numbers. Block 0290982420 to prevent future calls from this number. However, scammers often use different numbers, so blocking a single number is only a temporary measure. The best protection is to never engage with unsolicited callers claiming urgent authority.
Where can I report this federal impersonation scam in NSW?
Report calls from 02 9098 2420 to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and NSW Police. You can also report it to Reverseau to help other Australians identify the same scam. If the scammer attempted to access your online accounts or computer, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.