- Scam
- Suspicious
- Uncertain
Community reports for 02 9129 8838 (0291298838): Callers impersonate Commonwealth Bank, Visa, Telstra, and Bendigo Bank, claiming fraudulent activity and requesting personal information.
Bank and Financial Impersonation Reports for 02 9129 8838
Five contributors have reported scam calls from 02 9129 8838 (also written as 0291298838) involving callers falsely claiming to represent major Australian banks and payment networks. The pattern is consistent across reports: callers reference the recipient by name, claim to represent financial institutions or telecoms providers, and allege suspicious or fraudulent activity requiring immediate verification.
The sophistication of these impersonation attempts is notable. One contributor received a call from someone claiming to be John from Visa and Mastercard Security, attempting to confirm a $900 transaction. Another report describes a caller who knew the recipient's name and claimed to be from Telstra, referencing recorded suspicious activity on their servers. A third contributor was contacted by someone impersonating Bendigo Bank, also knowing their name despite having no account with that institution.
What Callers from 02 9129 8838 Claim
Contributors report several consistent tactics from 0291298838. Callers claim affiliation with Commonwealth Bank, Visa, Mastercard, Telstra, and Bendigo Bank. They reference fraudulent transactions, suspicious server activity, or unauthorised access as justification for the call. One contributor noted the caller attempted to confirm approval of a $900 charge. Another described a large pause before the caller spoke, consistent with automated dialling systems initiating calls.
The callers appear to have accessed personal information beforehand. Multiple reports from 02 9129 8838 specifically mention the caller knew the recipient's full name, adding credibility to their impersonation attempt. This suggests data sourcing from previous breaches or purchased contact lists. When questioned or challenged, contributors report that callers from 0291298838 either hung up or became evasive.
Call Patterns and Timing
Reports for 02 9129 8838 span late November and early December 2025, with calls occurring across various times including early morning hours (between 01:47 and 06:44). All confirmed scam reports involved answered calls, suggesting the scammers are actively managing their dialling campaign. One contributor reported that the same person claiming to be John had also called from a different number, 02 8090 8637, indicating an organised operation with multiple contact numbers in rotation.
The variety of financial institutions impersonated in calls from 0291298838 suggests the scammers are working from a broad contact list and adapting their approach based on available information about each target. One contributor simply hung up after identifying the Visa impersonation, while others engaged longer before recognising the scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9129 8838
If 02 9129 8838 calls you:
- Do not: Confirm personal information, account details, card numbers, or agree to any transactions the caller mentions
- Do not: Return the call or follow any callback instructions provided
- Do not: Click links or visit websites the caller provides
- Do: Hang up immediately if the caller cannot verify their identity through independent channels
- Do: Verify any claim by calling the official customer service number on the back of your bank card or from an official website
- Do: Block 0291298838 if the calls continue
- Do: Note the caller's name and any specific claims made (transaction amounts, institution names) for your report
How to Report 02 9129 8838
If you receive scam calls from 02 9129 8838, report the activity to Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: Report financial impersonation scams at scamwatch.gov.au
- ACMA: File a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au about the phone number and calling patterns
- Your bank: Contact your bank directly (using the number on your card, not any number provided by the caller) to report the impersonation attempt
- ReportCyber: If personal data was accessed or you clicked malicious links, report to cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 02 9129 8838 to help other Australians identify this scam
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9129 8838!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Just got a call from this number claiming to be from Commonwealth Bank. Do not fall for this scammer.
Just received a call from this number from a person claiming to be John, he tried earlier on another number (02) 8090 8637, saying he was fro Visa and Mastercard Security asking if I had approved the sum of $900.00. I cut him short and told him he is full of it and he hung up. CAUTION with this caller, I think it’s a scam.
The usual big pause and had to say hello again. Said they were from Visa. So I hung up.
Knew my name. Said they were from Telstra and had recorded suspicious activity on their servers.
Left no message so blocked & deleted.
Had my name, and said they were from Bendigo Bank (which I’m not affiliated with). Hung up on me.
Be cautious with this number!
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9129 8838!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why does the caller from 02 9129 8838 know my name?
Multiple contributors have reported that callers from 0291298838 knew their full names, suggesting the scammers are using purchased or breached contact lists. This personal information is used to make the impersonation more convincing. Do not assume a caller is legitimate simply because they know your name - always verify independently by calling your bank using the number on your card or its official website.
What should I do if I've already given information to the caller from 02 9129 8838?
If you've shared personal or financial information with 0291298838, contact your bank or payment provider immediately using the official number on your card. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au. Monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity and consider placing a fraud alert with your bank.
The caller from 02 9129 8838 mentioned a specific transaction amount - is this real?
One contributor reported that a caller from 0291298838 claimed to verify approval of a $900 charge. This is a common tactic to pressure you into confirming the transaction. Never confirm transactions with callers from unknown numbers. Instead, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number on your card to verify whether any such transaction actually exists.
Can I trust 02 9129 8838 if it calls from my bank's name on my caller ID?
No. Scammers can spoof caller ID to display the name or number of legitimate banks. Multiple contributors reporting calls from 0291298838 claim the caller identified themselves as Commonwealth Bank, Visa, Telstra, and Bendigo Bank. Always hang up and independently verify by calling your bank using the official number on your card, never using a number the caller provides.
What does the pause at the beginning of calls from 02 9129 8838 mean?
One contributor reported a large pause before the caller from 0291298838 spoke, which is typical of automated dialling systems. These systems dial multiple numbers simultaneously and connect answered calls to available operators. This pattern indicates an organised operation, not a one-off scammer. Hang up immediately if you hear a pause at the start of a call.
Should I report 02 9129 8838 to the Do Not Call Register?
The Do Not Call Register (donotcall.gov.au) applies to telemarketing, not scams. Since 0291298838 is being used for financial impersonation, you should report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) instead. Additionally, block the number on your phone to prevent further contact.