- Unknown
Community report for 02 9099 7697 (0290997697): Caller impersonates Australian Federal Police, uses callback requests to lure victims into engagement.
Police Impersonation Report for 02 9099 7697
One contributor has reported receiving persistent calls from 02 9099 7697 (also written as 0290997697) from someone claiming to be with the Australian Federal Police. This is a classic impersonation tactic designed to create urgency and fear, making targets more likely to comply with demands or provide sensitive information.
The contributor noted that when they called back the number after receiving multiple calls, the person on the other end claimed police affiliation. This callback component is particularly concerning - scammers deliberately provoke callbacks to establish direct contact and control the conversation.
What Callers from 02 9099 7697 Do
Based on the reported behaviour, callers using 0290997697 employ two coordinated tactics: persistent calling to create pressure, followed by impersonation when contact is established. The callback request is not accidental - it's a deliberate strategy to move you from a position of caution (not answering) into active engagement where the scammer can manipulate you verbally.
Australian Federal Police do not initiate contact via unsolicited calls about legal matters, debts, or urgent actions. Any call claiming police authority that asks you to call back, provide personal details, or take immediate action is fraudulent.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9099 7697
If 02 9099 7697 calls you:
- Do not: Answer unknown numbers, return missed calls to unfamiliar numbers, or provide any personal information
- Do: Let the call go to voicemail, block the number immediately, and verify any police matter through official channels
- If they claim police involvement: Hang up and contact the Australian Federal Police directly on 131 237 or visit afp.gov.au to verify any legitimate inquiry
- Never call back: Returning calls to numbers like 0290997697 confirms your number is active and places you directly in the scammer's hands
How to Report 02 9099 7697
Report this number through these Australian resources:
- Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) - the official Australian government scam reporting service
- ACMA (acma.gov.au) - report illegal calls and impersonation
- Australian Federal Police (afp.gov.au) - report impersonation of law enforcement
- ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) - if the call involved any digital component or credential harvesting
- Reverseau - contribute your experience to warn other Australians about 02 9099 7697
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WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Persistent calling, when I called back they claimed to be Australian Federal Police
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 7697!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already called back 0290997697?
Do not provide any further information. Hang up immediately if they call again, block the number, and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If you gave personal details (name, address, banking info), contact your bank and consider a credit freeze. Report the interaction to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au. Do not attempt to contact 02 9099 7697 again.
Can the Australian Federal Police really call me about outstanding matters?
The AFP may contact you, but they will identify themselves clearly, provide a reference number, and allow you to verify their identity independently. They never demand immediate payment, threaten arrest in a single call, or pressure you into providing passwords or banking details. If in doubt, hang up and call the AFP directly on 131 237 to verify any claimed inquiry - never call back a number like 0290997697 that initiated contact.
Why do scammers want me to call back 02 9099 7697?
Callback requests serve multiple purposes: they confirm your number is active and monitored by a real person (increasing your value as a target), they move you from passive (not answering) to actively engaged where verbal manipulation is more effective, and they create a sense of urgency and legitimacy. Once you call 0290997697 back, the scammer has control over the conversation direction.
Is 02 9099 7697 actually the Australian Federal Police?
No. The AFP does not use numbers like 02 9099 7697 for outbound contact about legal matters. The contributor who received calls from 0290997697 confirmed the caller falsely claimed police affiliation. The AFP's official contact numbers are 131 237 (non-emergency) or through afp.gov.au. Any unsolicited call from 02 9099 7697 claiming police authority is impersonation.
Should I block 0290997697 after one call?
Yes. The contributor's experience shows this number uses persistent calling tactics followed by impersonation. Blocking 02 9099 7697 prevents further contact attempts and protects you from manipulation. Most phone systems allow you to block numbers in your call log - select the number and choose 'Block' or 'Add to Reject List'.
What if this number contacts me claiming to be something other than police?
The reported impersonation from 0290997697 involved falsely claiming police authority, but scammers often rotate their stories. Whatever entity 02 9099 7697 claims to represent - police, tax office, bank, or delivery service - do not engage. Hang up and contact the legitimate organisation directly using an official number you find independently, never one provided by the caller.