03 8804 5817 - 0388045817: Survey Scam and Suspicious Activity Reports

• Scam
• Suspicious
• Spam

Community reports for 03 8804 5817 (0388045817): 9 reports of suspicious calls, survey scams claiming prize wins, and disconnected numbers when called back.

Survey Scam and Suspicious Activity Reports for 03 8804 5817

Nine contributors have flagged 03 8804 5817 (also written as 0388045817) for suspicious and deceptive calling behaviour. The most distinctive pattern involves callers impersonating a purported "Australian Research Centre" to conduct surveys, with the bait of prize giveaways. Contributors report that when they attempt to call the number back, 0388045817 is either disconnected or no longer in service, a classic hallmark of throwaway numbers used in scam operations.

The phone number is allocated to Optus Networks in Victoria. Telstra's network filtering has already flagged this number suspecting scam activity, blocking it before some contributors even heard it ring.

What Callers from 03 8804 5817 Claim

One contributor received a voicemail from 0388045817 describing a "cost of living survey" with a prize offer of $1,000. The caller asked for verbal responses to survey questions, then hung up abruptly. Another report describes a caller claiming to represent the "Australian Research Centre" offering a chance to win a grand prize for completing a survey.

Contributors who answered calls from 03 8804 5817 describe the interactions as intrusive and clearly deceptive. The pattern suggests an automated or semi-automated system (robocall) initiating contact with a pre-recorded script, then disconnecting when the conversation doesn't proceed as planned.

Why This Number Appears Disconnected When Called Back

Multiple contributors attempted to call 0388045817 back and received "number not in service" messages. This is a strong indicator of a spoofed or disposable number. Scammers frequently use temporary phone numbers that are deactivated after a campaign ends, making it impossible for victims or authorities to reach the original caller. The fact that several people report this experience with 03 8804 5817 strongly suggests intentional fraud rather than a legitimate business.

Report Patterns and Timing

Community reports for 03 8804 5817 span from October 2024 through November 2025, with activity concentrated in mid-2024 and sporadic reports continuing. One report was submitted as recently as November 2025. Calls arrived across different times of day, including early morning (4:25 AM, 6:42 AM) and mid-morning (9:19 AM), suggesting either automated batch dialling or calls timed to catch people at different hours. The mix of missed calls with no voicemail, voicemails with survey pitches, and answered calls with vague "research" claims indicates a coordinated campaign using multiple contact attempts.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 8804 5817

If 03 8804 5817 calls you:

• Do not: Answer if you don't recognise the number; return the call; engage with survey requests; provide any personal information or bank details; confirm your name or address
• Do: Let it go to voicemail; hang up immediately if you answer; block the number in your phone settings; note the date and time if it happens
• Verify independently: If the caller claims to represent a government agency or research organisation, end the call and contact that organisation directly using a phone number from their official website, not any number the caller provides

The offer of prize money or gift cards for completing a survey is a classic scam indicator. Legitimate research organisations do not conduct unsolicited calls offering cash prizes.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 03 8804 5817

If 0388045817 sends you an SMS:

• Do not: Click any links; reply to the message; download any attachments; provide information requested
• Do: Delete the message; block the number; report it as spam to your provider; forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting)

How to Report 03 8804 5817

If you've received calls or messages from 03 8804 5817, report your experience to help protect others:

• Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au - Australia's official scam reporting service
• Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au - the regulator for phone and internet services
• Report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au if the scam involved online elements or data theft attempts
• File a report with your phone provider (Telstra, Vodafone, Optus) - they track scam numbers and can block them network-wide
• Add 0388045817 to the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au if you wish to opt out of telemarketing (though scammers often ignore this)
• Contribute your report to Reverseau to help the community identify this number

Frequently Asked Questions