03 8804 5789 - 0388045789: Government Impersonation and Prize Scam

• Spam
• Uncertain
• Suspicious
• Scam

Community reports for 03 8804 5789 (0388045789): Contributors report fake Australian Government surveys offering $1,000 prizes with callback scam tactics.

Government Impersonation and Prize Scam Reports for 03 8804 5789

Eight contributors have reported calls from 03 8804 5789 (also written as 0388045789), with a clear pattern emerging around government impersonation combined with prize offer tactics. Two separate scam reports describe callers claiming to represent the Australian Government, conducting surveys about cost of living impacts, and dangling prizes of up to $1,000 as incentive to participate. When contributors attempted to call back the number 0388045789, they received an automated message stating the number is not in service - a classic callback scam indicator designed to prevent verification.

The service is allocated to Optus Networks in Victoria. The contradiction between an active incoming line and an inactive outbound number is a deliberate tactic used by scammers to avoid return contact and trace. Multiple contributors flagged the urgency and pressure embedded in the pitch, combined with the too-good-to-be-true prize offer to boost callback rates.

What Callers from 03 8804 5789 Claim

One contributor who answered a call from 03 8804 5789 reported the caller explicitly claimed affiliation with the Australian Government. The pitch involved a survey ostensibly measuring the cost of living and its effects on households. The hook was immediate: participation in the survey would automatically enrol the recipient in a prize draw with a maximum payout of $1,000.

A second detailed report about 0388045789 emphasised the blocking and urgency tactics layered into the approach. The contributor noted that when they called back, they encountered only an automated "not in service" message. This disconnect between incoming calls and an unusable return number is the hallmark of callback scams - the scammer profits from the inbound call but ensures you cannot reach them to verify or complain.

Call Patterns and Timing

Community reports for 03 8804 5789 span from May 2024 to March 2026, indicating sustained activity over nearly two years. Calls have come through as both answered and missed calls, with no voicemail messages left in most cases. One contributor received a call at 1:16 PM during typical business hours. Several reporters noted they have no connections to Victoria, making the incoming call from a VIC-based number unexplained and suspicious.

The robocall element appears in at least one report, with a contributor describing an automated survey pitch about cost of living. This suggests the operation may use a mix of live callers and recorded messages to maximise call volume and reduce labour costs.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8804 5789

If 03 8804 5789 calls you:

• Do not: Answer or call back the number. If you do reach an automated message claiming the number is not in service, this confirms callback scam tactics - do not persist.
• Do not: Participate in any survey, especially one offering prizes, when the caller claims government affiliation without you initiating the contact.
• Do not: Provide personal information, bank details, or payment information to verify your prize eligibility.
• Do: Verify directly with the Australian Government through official channels. The Department of Treasury, Services Australia, or the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) never cold-call to conduct surveys or award prizes without prior enrolment.
• Do: Block 0388045789 immediately if the call reaches you.
• Do: Report the number to ACMA and Scamwatch with your experience details.

How to Report 03 8804 5789

Contributing your experience helps other Australians avoid this number and supports law enforcement investigation:

• Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the prize offer and government impersonation tactics in detail.
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - File a complaint about unwanted calls and callback scams.
• Reverseau: Report your experience with 03 8804 5789 on this page to expand community awareness.
• Do Not Call Register: donotcall.gov.au - Register your number to reduce unsolicited telemarketing, though this number appears to be scam-based rather than telemarketing.

Frequently Asked Questions