- Scam
Community report for 03 8407 8616 (0384078616): Caller impersonated the State Emergency Service with auto-response callback confirming false SES affiliation.
SES Impersonation Report for 03 8407 8616
A contributor has reported receiving a call from 03 8407 8616 (also written as 0384078616) where the caller claimed to represent the State Emergency Service (SES). This impersonation tactic is particularly concerning because the caller maintained the deception through a callback mechanism, with an automated response referencing the national SES when the number was dialled back.
The use of SES impersonation is a sophisticated approach designed to exploit the trust and authority associated with emergency services. Contributors are less likely to question or hang up on someone claiming to be from an official emergency organisation, making this an effective social engineering tactic.
What the Caller from 03 8407 8616 Claimed
According to the report, the caller stated they were calling on behalf of the SES. When the contributor attempted to verify the call by ringing 0384078616 back, they received an automated response that reinforced the false SES affiliation. This layered deception - combining a verbal claim with a seemingly legitimate callback confirmation - is designed to increase credibility and bypass natural scepticism.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8407 8616
If 03 8407 8616 calls you:
- Do not: Provide personal information, financial details, or emergency access codes to the caller
- Do not: Return the call immediately to the number provided
- Do: Hang up and independently verify by contacting the SES directly using the official number from their website or your state emergency services directory
- Do: If the caller claims there is an emergency, contact emergency services directly on Triple Zero (000)
- Do: Block 0384078616 to prevent repeated contact
How to Report 03 8407 8616
If you receive a call from 03 8407 8616 or similar SES impersonation attempts:
- Report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au
- Lodge a report with Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, providing details of the call, what was claimed, and any information requested
- Contact your state emergency services directly to report the impersonation attempt
- Add your experience to Reverseau to help protect other Australians from calls to 0384078616
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What Our Users Reviewed
Claimed to be SES, actually an Indian scammer, call back gets auto-response about national SES
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would someone impersonate the SES when calling 03 8407 8616?
Impersonating emergency services like the SES exploits the inherent trust people have in official organisations. When a caller claims to be from 0384078616 representing the SES, recipients are less likely to hang up or question the request, making it easier for scammers to extract personal information, payment details, or access to homes and property.
The callback from 03 8407 8616 seemed legitimate with an SES auto-response. How is this possible?
Scammers can set up automated responses or voicemail systems to reinforce their false identity. When you call 0384078616 back, the pre-recorded message mentioning the SES is part of the deception. Always verify emergency service calls by independently dialling the official SES contact number from your state's emergency services website, not from any information provided by the caller.
What personal information might someone claiming to be from 03 8407 8616 ask for?
SES impersonators may request your address under the guise of needing to respond to an emergency, your phone number for verification, or even financial information for 'emergency relief' or 'evacuation assistance'. Never provide sensitive details to unsolicited callers from 0384078616 or any unknown number.
If I receive a genuine emergency call, how do I verify it's really the SES?
If 03 8407 8616 or any number calls claiming to be emergency services, hang up immediately and contact your local SES directly using the official number listed on their website. Legitimate emergency services will never contact you via random calls requesting personal information. If there is a genuine emergency threatening your safety, call Triple Zero (000).
Should I block 0384078616 after receiving one call?
Yes, blocking 03 8407 8616 is a sensible precaution if you receive a single suspicious call from this number. If you notice repeated calls from 0384078616, it strengthens the pattern of harassment or scam attempts and should be reported to ACMA.
What makes SES impersonation different from other scams?
SES impersonation carries additional risk because people are conditioned to trust emergency services and comply quickly with their requests. Scammers targeting 03 8407 8616 exploit this urgency and authority. Unlike generic scams, these calls may specifically reference your location or recent local incidents to build false credibility.