- Scam
Community reports for 02 9099 6520 (0290996520): Aggressive robocalls impersonating Australian Department of Immigration with threats of fines and arrest. Recorded female voice claiming multiple contact attempts.
Government Impersonation Robocall Scam Reports for 02 9099 6520
Eight contributors have reported calls from 02 9099 6520 (also written as 0290996520) involving aggressive robocalls that falsely claim to be from the Australian Department of Immigration. The scam uses recorded messages with a female voice and Australian accent to create false legitimacy, claiming the caller has attempted to reach the recipient multiple times and threatening serious consequences for non-compliance.
Multiple reports about 0290996520 describe identical patterns: the robocall offers language options ("press 1 for English, press 2 for Chinese"), mentions invented fines or compliance issues, and uses urgent, threatening language. Several contributors note this appears designed to exploit anxiety about government communication, particularly targeting non-English speakers or those unfamiliar with Australian immigration processes.
What Callers from 02 9099 6520 Say
Contributors report that calls from 02 9099 6520 follow a consistent script. A recorded female voice with an Australian accent claims to represent the Department of Immigration and states phrases like "we have tried to contact you several times" and "we are looking for you." The call then offers language selection and references fabricated offences or unpaid fines requiring immediate action.
One contributor received an SMS from this number claiming they were wanted by the Department of Immigration and hadn't been reachable, combined with warning emojis suggesting urgency. Another report describes the robocall as having an "aggressive" tone despite being automated, with threats about non-compliance.
A separate contributor reported receiving a call claiming invented fines and demanding payment. Another noted the recorded message for 0290996520 appeared to be pretending to be an official tax authority. The consistency of the robocall script across multiple reports suggests this is an automated system triggering the same false message repeatedly.
Call Patterns and Timing
Reports of calls from 02 9099 6520 have occurred on weekends (Saturday mornings) and weekday mornings, suggesting no time restrictions in the scammer's dialling patterns. Three contributors specifically noted receiving calls on Saturdays, which is outside typical business hours for legitimate government departments.
The scam campaign appears active across multiple contact channels: robocalls when answered, voicemail messages, and SMS text messages all impersonating the Department of Immigration. One contributor reported a voicemail in Mandarin from this number, suggesting the scammer may be attempting to target non-English-speaking Australians with different language versions of the same scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9099 6520
If 02 9099 6520 calls you:
- Do not: Press any buttons (1, 2, or other options), provide personal information, or follow any instructions from the recording
- Do not: Return the call or engage with the recorded message
- Do not: Assume the call is legitimate because it uses an Australian accent or government department language
- Do: Hang up immediately when you recognise it as a robocall
- Do: Block 0290996520 in your phone settings
- Do: Verify any government communication independently by contacting the relevant department directly using their official phone number from their website
- Do: Remember that the Australian Department of Immigration will not threaten arrest via automated calls or demand immediate payment for fines
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 9099 6520
If you receive an SMS from 02 9099 6520:
- Do not: Click any links in the message
- Do not: Reply to the message or confirm your details
- Do not: Call any number mentioned in the SMS
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Block this number (0290996520) from your contacts
- Do: Report the SMS to Australian authorities by forwarding it to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's SMS reporting service)
How to Report 02 9099 6520
If you've received calls or messages from 02 9099 6520, report this scam to Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch - Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au. Include details about what the caller claimed, when you received the call, and any language used.
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) - Report the robocall and SMS to acma.gov.au. They track scam numbers and can take action against service providers.
- ReportCyber - If the scam involved any online components, report to cyber.gov.au
- Do Not Call Register - Register at donotcall.gov.au to reduce telemarketing calls (though this won't stop illegal scam robocalls)
- Local Police - File a report with your local police if you believe you've been targeted for fraud
- Reverseau - Help other Australians by contributing your experience with 02 9099 6520 on this platform so the community can stay informed about this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 6520!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Scammer!
Voicemail sounding like Mandarin, seems dodgy
Saturday scam caller. ?✋?⚠️
Apparently I’m wanted by the Department of Immigration ?
According to the message they’ve been trying to reach me but can’t get a hold of me ?
Scammer call on the weekend!
Female claiming to be from immigration dept. Was a recorded message that claimed that they are looking for me and had tried several times. Not sure why as I am an Australian citizen. I was born here and have never left the country. All I can say is it’s a scam and need to block the number.
Saturday morning scam call ?
When I answered, it was a recorded message. Female voice with Aussie accent claiming to be from Immigration Department. The tone of the message was quite aggressive and it said something along the lines of “we have tried to contact you several times” the rest I can’t remember word for word, but it said “for English, press 1, for Chinese, press 2”
Claimed to be from my bank, thought it was a scam
robocall pretending official with press 1 for English, threatening about made up fines
Dodgy robo scam pretending to sort your tax
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 6520!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 9099 6520 a real Department of Immigration number?
No. Multiple contributors have confirmed this is a scam. The Department of Immigration will not contact you via robocalls with threats, demand immediate payment for fines through recorded messages, or use aggressive language in automated calls. If you're unsure about a government communication, hang up and contact the department directly using the phone number on their official website, not any number provided in the call from 0290996520.
What should I do if 0290996520 already has my personal details?
Do not provide any additional information to callers from 02 9099 6520. If the scammer has obtained your name and contact details, monitor your bank and credit accounts for suspicious activity. You can also place a fraud alert with your bank and check your credit report through equifax.com.au or illion.com.au. If you believe your details have been compromised, report it to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.
Why does 0290996520 offer language options like 'press 2 for Chinese'?
The scammer uses language selection to target non-English speakers who may be less familiar with Australian government processes and more likely to comply with threats. Contributors have reported voicemails in Mandarin from 02 9099 6520, confirming the scam targets specific language communities. This is a predatory tactic designed to exploit vulnerable groups.
Can I report 02 9099 6520 to my phone provider?
Yes. Contact your phone provider (this number is allocated to Symbio Networks) and report the scam robocall from 02 9099 6520. However, official reporting to ACMA at acma.gov.au is more effective for tracking patterns and taking regulatory action. You can also block this number in your phone's settings to prevent future calls from 0290996520.
What does it mean if 0290996520 says I've been contacted multiple times?
This is a false claim used to create urgency and pressure you into complying. The robocall from 02 9099 6520 uses this tactic to make the scam seem legitimate and to suggest serious consequences if you don't act immediately. In reality, the scammer is making up these prior contact attempts. Do not believe any claims made by the recorded message.
Should I press 1 to speak to someone from 02 9099 6520?
No. Do not press any buttons when you receive a call from 02 9099 6520 (0290996520). Pressing buttons confirms your number is active and monitored by humans, which may lead to more calls. Hang up immediately and block the number instead. Legitimate government departments do not use robocalls with language selection options to threaten citizens with fines or arrest.