- Scam
Community reports for 03 9017 9403 (0390179403): One robocall with Indian call centre background noise; one silent call with immediate hang-up on callback.
Robocall and Silent Call Reports for 03 9017 9403
Two contributors have reported suspicious activity from 03 9017 9403 (also written as 0390179403), a Victorian local-service number allocated to Verizon Australia. The reports describe two distinct patterns: an automated robocall with background noise suggesting a call centre operation, and a silent call that cuts off when the recipient attempts to call back.
The robocall report is particularly detailed. A contributor received a 45-second voicemail from 03 9017 9403 while driving home. The voicemail contained heavy background noise with multiple voices speaking with Indian accents, characteristic of offshore scam call centres. At the 30-second mark, a female voice repeatedly said "hello... Hello... hello..." suggesting an automated callback detection system. The contributor immediately blocked the number and reported it.
The second incident involved a silent call. When the recipient answered, there was complete silence on the line. An immediate attempt to ring back 0390179403 resulted in the call being cut off instantly, preventing any identification of the caller.
What These Reports Indicate About 03 9017 9403
The combination of a robocall with call centre background noise and a subsequent silent call suggests coordinated scam activity. Robocalls with "hello" detection loops are commonly used by international fraud operations to identify active phone numbers for follow-up targeting. The silent call pattern often follows when a number is confirmed as answered.
The presence of Indian-accented voices in the voicemail, along with the automated detection system, points toward a typical offshore impersonation or financial scam operation. These operations often test numbers with robocalls before launching targeted fraud attempts.
Report Patterns for 03 9017 9403
Both reports about 03 9017 9403 came through different channels. The robocall was left as a voicemail, while the silent call was answered directly. The timing suggests these may be part of the same targeting campaign - first testing number validity with a robocall, then following up with a silent call to confirm active use.
The voicemail from 03 9017 9403 was notably long at 45 seconds, indicating it was not a simple dial-and-disconnect but rather a deliberately recorded message played to create an audio record of an active number. This is consistent with database-building operations used by larger scam networks.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9017 9403
If 03 9017 9403 calls you:
- Do not: Answer if you don't recognise the number, return a call to this number, or press any buttons if a robotic voice asks you to confirm your presence
- Do: Let calls go to voicemail, block the number immediately after receiving it, and avoid leaving detailed voicemail greetings that confirm your number is active
- If you do answer: Hang up immediately at any sign of silence, background noise, or automated detection, and do not attempt to call back
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 03 9017 9403
If you receive an SMS from 03 9017 9403 or 0390179403:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or provide any information requested
- Do: Delete the SMS immediately, block the number, and forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's SMS reporting service)
How to Report 03 9017 9403
If you receive calls or SMS from 03 9017 9403, report it through these Australian government channels:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - report the call and describe what the caller claimed
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - lodge a complaint about the number
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - if you suspect data theft or identity-related scams
- Add to Reverseau: Share your experience with 03 9017 9403 (0390179403) on Reverseau to help other Australians identify threats from this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9017 9403!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Was driving and just as I was about to pull into my driveway, I got a call from this number.
I didn’t answer, but it left a voicemail.
Voicemail was 45 seconds long.
I could immediately hear a load of indian accents yelling in the background, so could only assume this to be a scammers call centre.
30 seconds into the Voicemail, some indian female kept saying “hello.. Hello … hello…”
I immediately deleted and reported. Number blocked.
Answered and it was dead silent, tried to ring back and it cut off straight away
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9017 9403!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if I get a silent call from 03 9017 9403?
A silent call where the line goes dead or cuts off when you try to call back - as reported with 0390179403 - is often used by scammers to confirm your number is active and answers calls. They use this information for targeted follow-up fraud attempts. Do not call the number back; simply block it.
Why would a robocall from 03 9017 9403 have someone saying 'hello' repeatedly?
The repeated "hello" in the voicemail from 03 9017 9403 is an automated detection system used by offshore call centres. It listens for any response to confirm a human answered, logging your number as active for fraud targeting. This is a classic indicator of an international scam operation.
Should I call back a number that left a robocall voicemail like the one from 0390179403?
No. Do not call back 0390179403 or any number that left a suspicious robocall voicemail. Calling back confirms your number is active and monitored, making you a priority target for follow-up scam attempts. Block the number and report it to Scamwatch instead.
What does Indian accent background noise in a robocall from 03 9017 9403 suggest?
The background noise with Indian-accented voices reported in the voicemail from 03 9017 9403 indicates an offshore call centre, likely in South Asia. These operations typically run large-scale fraud networks making robocalls to thousands of numbers daily. This is a strong indicator of organised international scam activity.
Is 03 9017 9403 a real business number or a scam number?
03 9017 9403 (0390179403) is registered as a local Victorian number with Verizon Australia, but the community reports indicate it is being used for scam robocalls and silent calls, not legitimate business. Real businesses do not operate call centre robocalls with detection systems or follow-up silent calls.
What should I do if I answered a call from 03 9017 9403 and it was silent?
If you answered 0390179403 and heard silence, hang up immediately. Do not call back. Block the number right away and keep your phone number confidential. If you're concerned about follow-up contact, enable call screening on your phone and report the number to ACMA at acma.gov.au.