- Uncertain
- Suspicious
- Scam
- Unknown
- Spam
03 8804 5783 (0388045783) receives 23 community reports for silent calls, robocalls claiming fake surveys, and callback scams where the number becomes inactive immediately after.
Silent Calls and Callback Scams from 03 8804 5783
Contributors have reported 23 incidents involving 03 8804 5783 (also written as 0388045783), with a clear pattern of silent calls followed by callback traps. The number frequently rings multiple times without leaving voicemail, and when recipients attempt to return the call to 03 8804 5783, they find the number is no longer in service or not registered. This is a classic callback scam tactic designed to trigger curiosity and generate outbound calls.
Three separate contributors reported receiving four or more calls from 0388045783 in short timeframes, with one noting the calls persisted even after blocking. The number is allocated to Optus Networks in Victoria, appearing as a legitimate local service number, which adds to its deceptive appearance.
What Callers from 03 8804 5783 Claim
When 03 8804 5783 is answered, contributors describe a robocall claiming to be "Tess from Australian Research Centre" conducting a survey about the cost of living crisis. One contributor explicitly noted the voice was clearly pre-recorded and the caller made no allowance for refusal or questions before launching into survey questions. The caller asked yes-or-no questions about financial situations and cost of living concerns.
Multiple contributors report that when they attempted callbacks to 0388045783, the number was either "not in service", "not registered", or went "out of service" within minutes of the initial call. This rapid deactivation strongly suggests the number used for outbound calls is temporary or spoofed, with the actual callback destination intentionally non-functional.
Report Patterns and Timing
Call activity from 03 8804 5783 spans from August 2025 through January 2026, with notable clustering. One contributor reported receiving four calls around lunchtime on a single day with no voicemail left. Another received repeated calls from 0388045783 even after explicitly blocking the number, indicating either call persistence or multiple outbound attempts from the same campaign.
Of the 23 total reports, 15 involved answered calls where contributors could describe the behaviour, while 4 were missed calls with no messages. Three reports mention SMS contact from 0388045783. Contributors consistently describe the interaction as feeling "dodgy", "not right", or clearly "a scam", with one noting the call came on Good Friday and describing it as "another scam call".
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8804 5783
If 03 8804 5783 calls you:
- Do not: Return the call, as you may be connecting to an attacker-controlled number or paying for premium-rate routing
- Do not: Engage with survey questions or provide personal financial information
- Do not: Assume the number is legitimate because it displays as a local Optus service number
- Do: Let the call go to voicemail and do not respond
- Do: Block the number immediately in your phone settings
- Do: If you accidentally return the call and reach an active number, hang up without providing information
- Do: Report the number to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and Scamwatch
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 03 8804 5783
If you receive a text message from 0388045783:
- Do not: Click any links or reply to the message
- Do not: Provide contact details or personal information
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Block the sender in your phone's messaging app
- Do: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 to report it to the ACMA as spam
How to Report 03 8804 5783
If you receive calls or SMS from 03 8804 5783 (0388045783), report the activity to Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - report the specific survey claims and callback trap behaviour
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - report silent calls, robocalls, and SMS spam
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - if phishing or data theft is suspected
- Do Not Call Register: donotcall.gov.au - complaint against unsolicited marketing calls
- Reverseau: Contribute your own experience with 03 8804 5783 to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 8804 5783!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Cost of living. Just wanted to know my financial situation. Just respond3d none of your business.
Picked up and told them it was none of my business, didn't feel right
Rang 4 times then hung up, kept calling even after blocking
Number sounds a bit dodgy, no details on interaction
Definitely a scam call, hang up fast
This number called me and within the next 10 minutes I tried calling them back. The number is not in service anymore.
This number called me and within the next 10 minutes I tried calling them back. The number is not in service anymore.
Robocall claiming to be doing survey about cost of living. Claimed to be "Tess from Australian Research Centre" but was clearly pre-recorded. Undoubtedly some form of scam, genuine researchers will be real humans and allow you to refuse or ask questions before launching into "survey".
Called 4 times around lunchtime, no message, called back got number out of service
Tried calling back and number doesn't exist
Call with survey that felt like scam, asking yes or no questions about cost of living crisis
Spam.
No message left
Called but no message, called back and number isn't even registered
Surprise, surprise another scam call. On Good Friday too. Blocked the bastards.
Missed call, called back got recording saying number not in service
No voicemail left, suspect scam
missed call, tried calling back and line was disconnected
Silence after I said hello then hung up
Indian Scammers using a spoofed number.
Claimed to be from Department of Immigration, said my visa had issues and I'd be deported if I didn't call back. I'm a born citizen
Most likely a scam number. Tried to call back and got a recorded message saying number had been disconnected, number not in service etc.
Seemed to be soliciting web development services, hung up after ringing 4 times, no message
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 8804 5783!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why does 03 8804 5783 hang up without leaving a message?
Multiple contributors report this as a deliberate tactic. The calls are designed to trigger curiosity so you will attempt to return the call to 0388045783. This is a callback scam - when you call back, you may reach a premium-rate number or provide information to attackers. The original number often becomes inactive immediately after, making it impossible to verify. Do not return the call.
What happens when I try to call 0388045783 back?
Three separate contributors reported that attempts to call back 0388045783 resulted in the number being out of service, not registered, or disconnected within minutes. This is intentional - the attackers use the number temporarily for outbound calls, then deactivate it to prevent callbacks. This prevents victims from verifying the caller's identity and protects the scammers from law enforcement tracing.
Is the survey from 03 8804 5783 legitimate?
No. One contributor who answered a call from 0388045783 described a pre-recorded robocall claiming to be "Tess from Australian Research Centre" asking about cost of living. The contributor explicitly noted that genuine researchers are real humans who allow you to refuse or ask questions first. This robocall conducts no such interaction, confirming it is not a legitimate survey. Legitimate research organisations do not use robocalls or pre-recorded voices.
Why does 03 8804 5783 keep calling even after I block it?
One contributor reported receiving four calls from 0388045783 that persisted even after blocking the number. This suggests the attackers are making multiple outbound attempts as part of a spam or scam campaign. Blocking may not stop all calls if they are using automated calling systems with retry logic. If calls continue, report them to the ACMA and consider Do Not Call Register complaints.
Should I be worried if I already called back 0388045783?
If you called back 0388045783 and reached a number, do not provide any information and hang up immediately. If you already shared personal details, consider changing your passwords, monitoring your bank account, and reporting the incident to your bank and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. The callback mechanism is designed to either route you to a premium-rate number or connect you to attackers gathering personal information. Blocking 03 8804 5783 on your phone is recommended.
What should I do if I receive an SMS from 03 8804 5783?
Do not click any links in the SMS from 0388045783. Do not reply or provide any information. Delete the message immediately and block the sender. Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 to report it to the ACMA as spam. If the SMS includes a link claiming you have a parcel, account issue, or need to update details, this is a phishing attempt and should not be engaged with under any circumstances.