- Scam
- Suspicious
- Spam
Community reports for 03 8578 5520 (0385785520): Callers impersonate electricity companies and government solar rebate programs with Indian accents, using multiple numbers.
Impersonation Scam Reports for 03 8578 5520
Three contributors have reported impersonation scams from 03 8578 5520 (also written as 0385785520). The scam involves callers claiming affiliation with electricity companies or government solar and battery rebate programs. Two of the reports specifically mention impersonation tactics, with callers using heavy Indian accents and targeting both personal phone numbers and business lines.
What makes this number particularly notable is the contributor observation that scammers operating 03 8578 5520 also call from a related number, 03 8578 5519. This pattern suggests a coordinated operation rotating between multiple numbers to increase contact rates and evade blocking.
What Callers from 03 8578 5520 Claim
Contributors report that callers from 03 8578 5520 make two primary claims. In one scenario, they impersonate an electricity company representative and attempt to reach business contacts repeatedly. In another, they reference a government solar or battery rebate program, leveraging official-sounding credentials to establish credibility.
One contributor noted difficulty understanding the caller due to a heavy accent, which may be a deliberate tactic to create confusion or make the conversation harder to follow. The repeated calling behaviour from 03 8578 5520, particularly targeting businesses, suggests persistence in attempting to reach decision-makers or those with purchasing authority.
Report Patterns and Timing
The three reports about 0385785520 span from August 2023 to February 2026, indicating this scam operation has been active over an extended period. One report came through a missed call, while two contributors answered calls from 03 8578 5520 directly and engaged with the scammer, allowing them to hear the impersonation pitch and accent.
A recent report from February 2026 emphasises the operational pattern: scammers use 03 8578 5520 and rotate to 03 8578 5519 to evade blocking attempts. This tactic of cycling between closely-numbered local service lines suggests a deliberate strategy to maintain contact capability even when one number becomes widely reported.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8578 5520
If 03 8578 5520 calls you:
- Do not: Accept claims about electricity providers, solar rebates, or government programs at face value; engage further with the caller; agree to any payments or provide personal or banking details
- Do: Hang up immediately; verify directly with the organisation (use official contact details from their website, not numbers provided by the caller); block 03 8578 5520 and 03 8578 5519 on your phone; let calls go to voicemail
- If it's a business: Alert your team to watch for repeated calls from 0385785520 and related numbers; do not transfer callers claiming to be from utilities or government agencies
How to Report 03 8578 5520
If you receive a scam call from 03 8578 5520, report it to the Australian authorities:
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au - include details of what was claimed and the phone numbers used
- File a complaint with the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au for illegal telemarketing or impersonation
- Report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au if financial information was requested or compromised
- Contribute to Reverseau by reporting your experience with 03 8578 5520 - community reports help identify patterns and protect others
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 8578 5520!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Indian scammer with a heavy accent lol could barely understand him. Tried calling our business multiple times and claimed they're from an electricity company. They'll call you from 03 8578 5520 AND 03 8578 5519. They change their number around.
Solar / Battery Rebate from Gov. Indian Accent.
Spam call, solar
Trying to get you to buy Solar from them.
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 8578 5520!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What government solar rebate is this number claiming to offer?
One contributor reported a caller from 03 8578 5520 claiming to offer a government solar or battery rebate. No legitimate government solar rebate program initiates contact via unsolicited calls from numbers like 0385785520. If you're interested in solar rebates, contact your state government's official energy website or Services Australia directly using official contact details.
Why is the caller's accent relevant to identifying this scam from 03 8578 5520?
Contributors noted that callers from 03 8578 5520 speak with a heavy Indian accent and are sometimes difficult to understand. While accent alone doesn't indicate fraud, the difficulty in understanding combined with the impersonation claims and persistent calling behaviour from 0385785520 is a red flag. Legitimate utility companies staff Australian customer service teams.
Should I be concerned if both 03 8578 5520 and 03 8578 5519 call me?
Yes. A contributor specifically noted that scammers operating 03 8578 5520 also use 03 8578 5519, rotating between the numbers. If you receive calls from both 0385785520 and 03 8578 5519 with similar claims, block both numbers immediately and report them to Scamwatch and the ACMA.
What should I do if 03 8578 5520 calls my business claiming to be an electricity company?
Do not transfer the call or provide any business information. Hang up immediately. If you need to verify a claim about your electricity account, use the official contact number on your bill or your provider's official website - never use a number provided by an unsolicited caller from 0385785520. Brief your team about this pattern so they can recognise and block similar attempts.
Is 03 8578 5520 a legitimate local number or spoofed?
03 8578 5520 is registered as a local service number in Victoria through Primus Telecommunications. However, the registration does not guarantee legitimacy - scammers can use or spoof local numbers to appear credible. The community reports about 0385785520 confirm it is being used for impersonation scams, so treat any call from this number with suspicion.
How long has 03 8578 5520 been used for scams?
Community reports about 03 8578 5520 (0385785520) span from at least August 2023 to February 2026, indicating this scam operation has been active for over two years. The fact that scammers continue to use 03 8578 5520 alongside 03 8578 5519 suggests the operation remains ongoing, so remain vigilant if you receive calls from this number.