02 9940 1717 (0299401717): Contributors report rapid-fire calls with foreign language voicemails left after missing connection, suspected overseas spam operation.
Repeated Call Spam Reports for 02 9940 1717
Four contributors have reported suspicious activity from 02 9940 1717 (also written as 0299401717), with a clear pattern of repeated calls and abandoned voicemail messages. The most recent report describes three calls within five minutes, each leaving voicemail messages of varying length in a language the contributor could not understand. This aligns with earlier reports spanning several years, suggesting an ongoing spam operation.
The distinctive feature across reports of 0299401717 is the caller behaviour when connection fails - rather than hanging up, callers leave lengthy voicemail messages (up to two minutes) in foreign languages. One contributor noted they were "not expecting this call" and found the pattern unusual enough to report. Another suspected the caller was "testing the number" given the quick hangups and missed connections.
What Callers from 02 9940 1717 Do
Reports about 02 9940 1717 consistently describe the same technical failure: callers place outbound calls, fail to connect with a person, but neglect to terminate the call properly. Instead, automated systems or operators leave voicemail messages in non-English languages. One contributor described receiving the call from "overseas somewhere" based on the language spoken.
The pattern with 0299401717 suggests a bulk calling operation. Three calls arrived within five minutes in a single incident, with each voicemail left at different lengths, indicating either multiple calling attempts or an automated system cycling through attempts. The calls often hang up immediately when reaching voicemail, but not before recording a message.
Call Patterns and Timing
The first report of 02 9940 1717 dates to April 2023, but activity has continued through at least June 2024 and March 2026. One contributor reported receiving multiple calls "this week," while another described consistent calls over a full week period. The most recent incident involved three calls in rapid succession within five minutes, suggesting either automated dialling or a shift to more aggressive calling tactics.
Reports of 0299401717 predominantly arrive as missed calls or voicemails rather than answered conversations, which is typical of spam operations using automated systems. The Optus network allocation for 02 9940 1717 (NSW local service) suggests the caller may be spoofing a local number to increase answer rates.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9940 1717
If 02 9940 1717 calls you:
- Do not: Answer unknown numbers, return the call, or play voicemails from unfamiliar senders in foreign languages
- Do: Let calls go to voicemail, block the number immediately after the first call, and delete any voicemail messages without listening if they're in unfamiliar languages
- Note: Multiple rapid calls from 02 9940 1717 (like the three-in-five-minutes pattern reported) indicate automated spam - block immediately and do not engage
What to Do If You Receive a Voicemail from 02 9940 1717
If 0299401717 leaves a voicemail:
- Do not: Call back or engage with the number, attempt to translate the message, or share the voicemail content with others
- Do: Delete the message, block the number, and report it as spam to your phone provider and the ACMA
- Note: The deliberate use of foreign language voicemails is a known spam tactic to avoid consumer understanding and reduce callback complaints
How to Report 02 9940 1717
If you receive calls from 02 9940 1717, report the activity to Australian authorities:
- ACMA Complaint: Report the number at acma.gov.au - include the date, time, and description of the voicemail or call
- Scamwatch: If you believe this is a scam (not just spam), report at scamwatch.gov.au
- Do Not Call Register: Register your number at donotcall.gov.au to reduce telemarketing calls
- Block the number: Most phone providers allow blocking directly through your phone settings or by contacting your carrier (Optus in this case)
- Reverse AU: Report your experience with 02 9940 1717 on Reverse AU to help other Australians identify this pattern
Had a call or text from (02) 9940 1717? Tell others what happened.
SUBMIT A REPORTReport Ratings
Community Reports
Two calls but no voicemail, app said it was an event management scam, blocked it
Three calls in 5 minutes, they did not put down the phone when they got voicemail and left varying length voice mail messages not in English.
Spammers. Same with the other reporter - they forgot to put down the phone when they could not get through and therefore left a 2 mins voice mail. I couldn't understand their language and I was not expecting this call.
Keep getting calls this week, either miss it or it hangs up, guessing scammer testing the number
Definitely a spam number, they forgot to put down the phone, when they did not get through and it left a message, from overseas somewhere, as I could understand the language they were speaking, SPAMMERS are really good with their skills.
Had a call or text from (02) 9940 1717? Tell others what happened.
SUBMIT A REPORTFrequently Asked Questions
Why does 02 9940 1717 leave voicemails in foreign languages?
The pattern reported for 0299401717 suggests an overseas spam operation using bulk calling software that fails to properly disconnect calls when they reach voicemail. The foreign language voicemails indicate callers based outside Australia. This tactic deliberately creates confusion and discourages recipients from calling back or filing complaints.
Should I be concerned about the three calls in five minutes from 02 9940 1717?
Yes. The recent report of three rapid calls from 02 9940 1717 within five minutes is typical of automated spam dialling systems testing phone numbers for active use or attempting brute-force contact. This pattern indicates a more aggressive campaign and warrants immediate blocking of 0299401717.
Is 02 9940 1717 a real Optus number?
02 9940 1717 is allocated to Optus Networks in NSW, but this does not mean Optus is making the calls. Spam callers routinely spoof legitimate phone numbers to appear local and trusted. The Optus allocation for 0299401717 likely means the caller has spoofed this number rather than legitimately owning it.
What happens if I call back 02 9940 1717?
Calling back 0299401717 is not recommended. You may reach an unrelated Optus customer (if the number is spoofed), incur unexpected charges, or reach an active spam operation that will add your number to a "confirmed active" list for future targeting. Simply block 02 9940 1717 instead.
Why has 02 9940 1717 been calling for years?
Reports of 0299401717 span from April 2023 to March 2026, suggesting the number (or the spoofed identity) has been part of a persistent overseas spam campaign. These operations often cycle through numbers and tactics based on regulatory pressure and carrier blocking, but the core operation continues targeting Australian consumers.
Can I report 02 9940 1717 to Optus directly?
While you can contact Optus to report the spoofing of 02 9940 1717, the most effective action is reporting to the ACMA (acma.gov.au), which coordinates with carriers and overseas authorities. The ACMA handles spoofed number complaints and can work with Optus to mitigate the issue at the network level.