- Scam
- Suspicious
Community reports for 03 9647 1161 (0396471161): recorded visa scam message and suspicious caller demanding power provider info without explanation.
Visa Impersonation and Robocall Reports for 03 9647 1161
Two contributors have reported concerning activity from 03 9647 1161 (also written as 0396471161), a Victorian Telstra local service number. The reports indicate a pattern of impersonation attempts and suspicious caller behaviour targeting unsuspecting Australians.
One contributor received a recorded robocall from 0396471161 claiming their visa housing arrangements were not sorted. The message asked the recipient to press 1 or 2, a classic interactive scam tactic designed to elicit a response that confirms the number is active. The contributor, who is not an international student or visa holder, immediately recognised the call as fraudulent.
What Callers from 03 9647 1161 Are Doing
The recorded message from 03 9647 1161 specifically targets visa holders by falsely claiming housing documentation issues. This type of scam exploits the genuine concerns international students and visa applicants have about accommodation and visa compliance.
A second report describes a different caller from this number who refused to identify themselves or their organisation. This caller exhibited suspicious behaviour described as a heavy breather sound with background noise consistent with a public space (possibly a food court). The caller made an unprompted and urgent demand to know the recipient's power provider, without any legitimate reason or explanation. This pattern of demanding utility information without context is a known data harvesting technique used by scammers.
Report Patterns and Timing
The two reports span a one-week period in mid-April 2026. One came through a voicemail (the robocall), while the other involved a live conversation where the caller answered when contacted. The geographic allocation to Victoria and assignment to Telstra suggests the number may be spoofed or misused within legitimate carrier infrastructure. Both contributors reported no prior interaction or business relationship with the number.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9647 1161
If 03 9647 1161 calls you:
- Do not: Press any buttons in response to recorded messages, answer questions about utility providers or housing, or provide any personal information
- Do not: Return the call or engage with the caller
- Do: Hang up immediately if you hear a recorded message asking you to press buttons
- Do: Let unknown calls go to voicemail
- Do: Block 0396471161 on your phone if you receive repeat calls
- Do: Verify any legitimate visa or housing claims by contacting the official Department of Home Affairs or your educational institution directly using publicly listed contact details
How to Report 03 9647 1161
If you receive suspicious calls from 03 9647 1161 (0396471161), report the activity to Australian authorities:
- Report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au for phone scams and robocalls
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of what was claimed
- If the call involved a data harvesting attempt, you can report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9647 1161!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Bloke claimed to be from my telco saying there was a problem with my account, but I'm not even a customer of theirs
Recorded message saying my visa housing wasn't sorted, ask me to press 1 or 2. I'm not a student or overseas so obviously fake
Wouldn't say who he was, heavy breather sounding like he's in a food court, desperate to know my power provider without any background info, I'm a tourist
Help others by sharing your experience with (03) 9647 1161!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What was the visa housing scam message from 03 9647 1161?
A contributor reported a recorded robocall from 03 9647 1161 (0396471161) claiming their visa housing wasn't sorted and asking them to press 1 or 2. The recipient confirmed they were not a visa holder or student, so the message was clearly fraudulent. This type of robocall targets visa holders by falsely creating urgency around housing documentation.
Why would a caller from 0396471161 ask about my power provider?
One contributor reported an evasive caller from 0396471161 who refused to identify themselves or their organisation, then demanded to know their power provider without explanation. This is a data harvesting tactic. Scammers use utility provider information to conduct targeted follow-up scams or sell personal data to other fraudsters. Never share this information with unknown callers.
Is 03 9647 1161 a legitimate Telstra number?
03 9647 1161 is allocated as a Victorian local service number with Telstra, but this does not mean calls from this number are legitimate. Scammers frequently spoof or misuse real carrier numbers. The community reports about impersonation and suspicious behaviour indicate this number is being used for scam activity, not legitimate Telstra services.
What should I do if 0396471161 calls and asks me to press 1?
Do not press any buttons. Robocalls like the one from 0396471161 asking to press 1 or 2 are testing whether your number is active and monitored by a real person. Pressing the button confirms your number and may add you to a scam calling list. Hang up immediately and block the number.
How can I verify if a visa housing claim from 03 9647 1161 is real?
Do not trust calls from 03 9647 1161 claiming visa issues. Legitimate visa and housing matters are communicated through official channels. Contact the Department of Home Affairs directly using their official website or phone number to verify any claims. Never call back the number that contacted you, and never provide personal information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls.
Should I report 0396471161 to the police?
You can report calls from 0396471161 to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. These agencies track scam patterns and robocalls. For data harvesting attempts, report to cyber.gov.au. Local police generally refer phone scams to these specialist agencies, so reporting directly to ACMA and Scamwatch is the most effective action.