- Scam
Community report for 03 9022 9513 (0390229513): Caller impersonates VISA and Mastercard, falsely claiming $400 Woolworths charge to create urgency.
VISA and Mastercard Impersonation Report for 03 9022 9513
A contributor has flagged a deceptive call from 03 9022 9513 (also written as 0390229513) impersonating VISA and Mastercard representatives. The caller claimed an unauthorised $400 debit from Woolworths had occurred on the recipient's card, creating immediate alarm to pressure a response.
This Victoria-based local service number is being used to execute a common impersonation tactic. The caller's opening statement, identifying themselves as contacting from both VISA and Mastercard simultaneously, is a red flag for fraud, as legitimate card issuers do not initiate contact this way for disputed charges.
What the Caller from 03 9022 9513 Said
The contributor reported that the caller from 0390229513 opened with: "Hi this is an important call from VISA and Mastercard to inform you there has been a debit of $400 from your card from Woolworths".
The phrasing combines false authority (claiming to represent two major payment networks simultaneously) with a specific transaction detail ($400 from Woolworths) designed to appear legitimate and trigger immediate concern. The use of the word "important" creates artificial urgency to bypass the recipient's natural caution and prompt quick action.
Why This Approach Works as a Scam
Scammers targeting 03 9022 9513 callers rely on the fact that most people do have VISA or Mastercard accounts and shop at Woolworths. By naming a real retailer and a plausible transaction amount, the caller increases the likelihood the recipient will believe the claim long enough to be directed to share card details, CVV numbers, or one-time verification codes. The urgency tactic pressures victims to act without verifying the claim through official channels.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9022 9513
If 03 9022 9513 calls you:
- Do not: Provide card details, CVV numbers, expiry dates, or one-time codes; confirm your card number or account status; stay on the line if the caller requests you to verify information
- Do: Hang up immediately and call your bank or card issuer directly using the number on the back of your card or your bank's official website; check your transaction history through your card issuer's app or online banking to verify whether the charge actually occurred; contact the retailer (Woolworths) directly if unsure about a transaction
- Block the number: After hanging up, add 0390229513 to your phone's blocked contacts to prevent future calls from this number
How to Report 03 9022 9513
Report this number and the scam attempt through these Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Lodge a detailed report including the exact words used by the caller
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Report the number for investigation and potential carrier action
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - If you provided any information or suspect identity theft
- Your bank or card issuer: Call the number on your card to flag the scam number and check for unauthorised activity
- Reverseau: Submit your own report here to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9022 9513!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
"Hi this is an important call from VISA and Mastercard to inform you there has been a debit of $400 from your card from Woolworths". Scam.
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9022 9513!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Should I call back 03 9022 9513 to verify the charge?
No. Do not call back 0390229513 under any circumstance. Calling back confirms your number is active and may connect you to the scammer again. Instead, use the phone number on the back of your actual card to contact your bank directly. They will confirm whether the Woolworths charge is legitimate.
What if I already gave my card details to the caller from 03 9022 9513?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately using the number on your card or their official website. Request they cancel your current card and monitor your account for fraudulent activity. Also report the incident to your card issuer and provide them with the phone number 0390229513, the exact time of the call, and what information you shared. Consider contacting ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au if you suspect identity theft.
How do I know if a real VISA or Mastercard charge is pending?
Legitimate VISA and Mastercard (as well as individual banks) contact cardholders through secure channels and typically ask you to initiate verification through your online banking app or by calling the number on your card. They do not call to inform you of a charge and ask you to confirm details over the phone. If you're unsure about a transaction, log into your online banking or app directly (not through any link provided by the caller) to review pending charges. The number 03 9022 9513 claiming to represent both VISA and Mastercard simultaneously is a strong indicator of scam.
Why would a scammer use a local Melbourne number like 03 9022 9513?
Scammers use local Australian numbers (particularly 03 area codes) to appear legitimate and increase the likelihood you will answer. A local number from 0390229513 makes the call seem like it could be from a local business or service rather than an overseas operation, lowering your guard. This is why it's always safer to hang up and initiate contact yourself using an official number.
Is the $400 Woolworths charge the scammer mentions real?
It is unlikely. The scammer mentioned $400 from Woolworths because it is a specific, believable amount that many Australians might spend, making the claim more convincing. However, the call from 03 9022 9513 is fraudulent. The only way to verify whether a charge is real is to log into your account through your bank's official website or app, or call your card issuer directly using the number on your card (never use a number provided by the caller).
Should I block 0390229513 on my phone?
Yes. After hanging up on the call from 03 9022 9513, add the number 0390229513 to your blocked contacts immediately. This prevents the scammer from contacting you again using this particular number. However, be aware that scammers often use different numbers, so blocking 0390229513 alone won't prevent similar calls. Report the number to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) to help stop this scam from reaching others.