- Scam
Community report for 03 7038 9402 (0370389402): Caller impersonated Federal Police. Do not engage with this number.
Federal Police Impersonation Report for 03 7038 9402
A contributor has flagged 03 7038 9402 (also written as 0370389402) for impersonation of the Australian Federal Police. The caller falsely claimed to represent the Federal Police, a common social engineering tactic used in scam operations to create urgency and fear, making targets more likely to comply with demands or share sensitive information.
This Victoria-based local service number allocated to Symbio Networks has been reported for this deceptive behaviour. The contributor's alert emphasises the serious nature of this impersonation: "Claimed to be Federal Police, don't fall for it."
What Callers from 03 7038 9402 Claim
According to the report, the caller from 0370389402 impersonated the Australian Federal Police. This type of impersonation is a hallmark of advance-fee and intimidation scams, where fraudsters create false authority to pressure targets into immediate action without verification.
Federal Police impersonation calls typically progress by claiming the target is involved in criminal activity, has outstanding legal matters, or faces immediate legal consequences. The fraudster's goal is to prevent the target from independently verifying the claim by hanging up and contacting official channels.
Why Federal Police Impersonation Works
Impersonating law enforcement exploits natural fear and respect for authority. When someone hears they are allegedly under investigation or face arrest, most people's instinct is to comply rather than question. Scammers using 03 7038 9402 rely on this psychological pressure to bypass critical thinking.
Legitimate Australian Federal Police will never contact you by phone demanding immediate payment, threatening arrest, or requesting personal banking details over the phone. They conduct investigations through official channels with proper documentation.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 7038 9402
If 03 7038 9402 calls you:
- Do not: Believe claims of authority, provide personal information, banking details, or passwords, or follow caller instructions
- Do: Hang up immediately, block the number, and independently verify any claim by contacting the Australian Federal Police directly through their official website or the main switchboard
- Remember: Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call with threats or demands for immediate payment or information
If the caller mentions specific details about you (name, address, alleged crime), this heightens the social engineering risk. Do not assume familiarity means legitimacy. End the call and verify independently.
How to Report 03 7038 9402
If you received a call from 0370389402 impersonating Federal Police or other authorities:
- Report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call and any claims made
- Contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au to report the number
- Report to the Australian Federal Police directly if you engaged with the caller or suffered financial loss
- Add 03 7038 9402 to your phone's blocked list to prevent future contact
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
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Claimed to be Federal Police, don't fall for it
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Will the Australian Federal Police really call me about legal issues?
No. The Australian Federal Police conduct official investigations through formal channels with written documentation, not unsolicited phone calls. If you receive a call from 03 7038 9402 or another number claiming to be Federal Police with urgent demands, it is almost certainly a scam. Hang up immediately and contact the AFP directly through their official website or published phone number to verify.
What should I do if I already gave information to the caller from 0370389402?
If you shared personal information, banking details, or passwords with someone claiming to be Federal Police on 0370389402, contact your bank immediately to secure your accounts. Report the incident to cyber.gov.au and your state police force. Monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
How do I verify if a call claiming to be from law enforcement is real?
Never trust caller ID or the caller's word. If 03 7038 9402 or any number claims to be law enforcement, end the call and independently contact the relevant agency using an official phone number from their website. For Federal Police inquiries, use the contact details on afp.gov.au, not any number the caller provides.
Why would scammers use a Victoria local number like 03 7038 9402?
Local numbers like 0370389402 appear more legitimate and trustworthy than overseas or premium-rate numbers. Using a Victoria-based number increases the chance a target will answer and engage. The number's allocation to Symbio Networks (a legitimate ISP/telecommunications provider) adds another layer of false credibility that fraudsters exploit.
What's the difference between a scam call and a legitimate cold call?
Legitimate callers identify themselves clearly, provide verifiable details, and never demand immediate action or personal information over the phone. Scammers using 03 7038 9402 create urgency, make threats, refuse to provide callback numbers, and pressure you not to hang up or verify independently. If you feel pressured or threatened, it is a scam.
Should I answer calls from unknown numbers to identify them?
It depends on your risk tolerance. Answering confirms your number is active, which can lead to more calls. If you do answer a call from 0370389402 or similar, listen briefly without providing information, then hang up. It is safer to let unknown calls go to voicemail and check the number on Reverseau or official resources before calling back.