- Uncertain
- Suspicious
- Scam
02 9158 3242 (0291583242): Six community reports of fake immigration office calls with impersonation tactics and unauthorised bank charges.
Immigration Impersonation Reports for 02 9158 3242
Six contributors have reported calls from 02 9158 3242 (also written as 0291583242) impersonating Australian immigration authorities. The pattern involves callers claiming affiliation with government immigration services, speaking in Chinese, and confirming personal details like family names before the call is abruptly terminated or disconnected. One contributor also reported unauthorised monthly bank charges of AUD $10 deducted over a year, suggesting potential data misuse linked to this number.
Multiple reports describe callers attempting to establish credibility by referencing immigration matters and using knowledge of personal information. The scam appears designed to either extract additional personal details, create a sense of urgency around immigration status, or facilitate fraudulent transactions. Contributors consistently noted the calls did not originate from legitimate government channels.
What Callers from 02 9158 3242 Say and Do
One contributor picked up a call from 0291583242 where the caller confirmed her family name in Chinese before claiming to be from immigration. The call ended abruptly when her phone lost battery, preventing further engagement. Another contributor received repeat calls from this number and noted the caller switched to Chinese upon connection, then hung up when told they were not Chinese-speaking. A third report identified the number as linked to a private immigration company falsely presenting itself as government.
The tactics suggest callers use personal data (names, contact details) to appear legitimate, then either disconnect before making explicit demands or attempt to establish urgency around immigration compliance. One contributor's account of recurring monthly charges of $10 from their bank indicates potential secondary fraud activity, possibly authorisation fraud linked to these impersonation calls.
Report Patterns and Timing
Community reports span from May 2023 to March 2026, with the earliest reports clustering in May-June 2023 and one recent report in March 2026. The most recent report describes ongoing unauthorised bank deductions, indicating this number or associated scam network remains active. Calls have been answered by contributors, missed, and repeatedly made to the same individuals, suggesting targeted calling patterns rather than random outbound dialling.
Contributors describe the number as persistent and deceptive, with one noting multiple calls from the same number over time. The six reports collectively indicate a sustained scam operation impersonating immigration services, with Chinese-language capability suggesting targeting of migrants or visa holders unfamiliar with Australian government contact protocols.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9158 3242
If 02 9158 3242 calls you:
- Do not: Confirm personal details, family names, or immigration status; engage with requests for payment or bank details; return the call or save the number
- Do: Hang up immediately; verify directly with the Department of Home Affairs using their official contact details from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; block the number on your phone
- Do: Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorised charges linked to calls from this number
- Do: If you've shared information, contact your bank immediately to report potential fraud and monitor your accounts
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 9158 3242
If you receive an SMS from this number:
- Do not: Click any links; reply with personal or financial information; save contact details
- Do: Delete the message; block the number; report the SMS to your mobile carrier
- Do: Forward SMS evidence to 0429 999 888 (ACMA SMS reporting) and Scamwatch for documentation
How to Report 02 9158 3242
If you've been targeted by calls from 02 9158 3242 or 0291583242:
- Report to Scamwatch: Visit scamwatch.gov.au and lodge a detailed report including call times, content discussed, and any personal information requested
- Report to ACMA: File a complaint at acma.gov.au detailing the impersonation and call frequency; this helps regulatory action against the operator
- Report to your bank: If unauthorised charges appear linked to this number, notify your financial institution immediately for fraud investigation and potential reversal
- Report to Services Australia: If the caller claimed immigration authority, report to the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au to prevent further impersonation
- Block and document: Save call logs, screenshots of bank statements, and SMS records as evidence for authorities
- Contribute to Reverseau: Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9158 3242!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Amount of aud $10 has been deducted from my bank account every month for the past year.
I picked up this phone call then the guy confirmed to me in Chinese that is miss x(my family name) speaking. I answered yes. Then he said he was from the Immigration. Then my phone no battery.
This number keeps calling me I did not pick up. It liked to a private immigration company looks like a government but it is not. I am pretty sure it is a scammer phone call. Block the number.
Scam pretending to be immigration office
Scam
This seems like a dodge number. A guy calls me a couple of times from this number and starts speaking Chinese when I picked up. When I said I was not Chinese, he just hangs up. This is not a government organisation that should not be confused with the real Immigration Office.
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9158 3242!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if 02 9158 3242 calls and claims to be from immigration?
Do not confirm any personal information. Hang up immediately and contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using the official phone number from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au to verify if they actually called. Multiple contributors have reported 0291583242 impersonating immigration; legitimate government agencies will not ask for sensitive details during unsolicited calls.
I received a call from 0291583242 speaking Chinese. Is this legitimate?
No. While the Department of Home Affairs may have interpreters, unsolicited calls from 02 9158 3242 claiming to be immigration and speaking Chinese are part of a reported scam pattern. Contributors describe callers from this number using Chinese to target migrants, then hanging up or disconnecting abruptly. Always initiate contact with government agencies yourself using official channels.
I found $10 monthly charges on my bank statement linked to 02 9158 3242. What do I do?
Contact your bank immediately and report the unauthorised transactions. One contributor reported recurring AUD $10 monthly deductions linked to calls from this number over a year. Your bank can investigate fraud, reverse charges, and help prevent further unauthorised access. Also report the charges to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au.
Can I trace who is behind 02 9158 3242?
The number is allocated to a NSW local service provider, but scammers often spoof legitimate numbers or misuse allocated services. Do not attempt to call back. Instead, report the number to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, who investigate impersonation scams. You can also check Reverseau for other contributor reports about 0291583242.
This number called me repeatedly. How do I stop calls from 0291583242?
Block the number immediately on your phone. If calls persist from this or similar numbers claiming to be immigration, report each instance to ACMA at acma.gov.au. While 02 9158 3242 is not a telemarketing number, repeated scam calls may indicate targeting; providing ACMA with frequency and timing helps them take enforcement action.
Should I report 02 9158 3242 to police?
Yes, if you've lost money or had unauthorised charges. Lodge a report with your state police cybercrime unit via cyber.gov.au or your local police station. You should also report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and your bank. Multiple reports to authorities help establish patterns and increase likelihood of investigation into the network behind 0291583242.