- Scam
Community report for 03 9684 8166 (0396848166): Robo message falsely claiming phone disconnection, impersonating Telstra with urgency tactics.
Telstra Impersonation Robocall on 03 9684 8166
One contributor has reported receiving a robocall from 03 9684 8166 (also written as 0396848166) that falsely claimed their phone service would be disconnected the same day. The caller impersonated Telstra, despite the contributor being a customer of Optus. This is a classic impersonation scam using urgency and automated messaging to pressure victims into taking immediate action.
What the Robocall from 03 9684 8166 Claims
The automated message left on the contributor's voicemail stated that their phone would be disconnected today. The robocall did not provide specific account details or reasons, relying instead on fear and time pressure to drive the recipient to call back or provide information. By falsely naming Telstra as the caller, the scammer exploited trust in a recognisable Australian telco brand.
The use of a robotic voice and generic disconnection threat indicates this was likely a mass dialling campaign. The fact that the contributor is with Optus, not Telstra, shows the scammer was either using a generic message or had outdated customer data.
Report Details and Timing
The report was submitted on 30 March 2026. The robocall was delivered via voicemail, which is typical for scammers unable to reach the recipient directly. The contributor was alert enough to recognise the impersonation immediately, noting the mismatch between Telstra's claim and their actual provider.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9684 8166
If 0396848166 calls you:
- Do not: Return the call, press any buttons, or provide account details or personal information
- Do: Hang up immediately, let it go to voicemail, and block the number
- Do: Contact your actual telco directly using the phone number on your bill or their official website to verify any service issues
- Do: Ignore the urgency tactic-legitimate telcos do not threaten immediate disconnection via automated calls
How to Report 03 9684 8166
If you receive a call from 03 9684 8166, you can report it to:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - report illegal robocalls and scam numbers
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - document your experience and check for similar reports
- Reverseau: Help other Australians by contributing your own report about 03 9684 8166 on this page
- Your telco: Contact Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, or your provider directly to report the impersonation
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What Our Users Reviewed
Robo message saying my phone will be disconnected today, I'm with Optus not Telstra
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would a scammer claim my Telstra service will disconnect when I'm with Optus?
Scammers using 03 9684 8166 often rely on generic mass-dialling campaigns with automated messages. They may have outdated customer data, or they intentionally use a recognisable brand name (Telstra) to create urgency and panic. Many victims won't stop to check their actual provider when scared about disconnection. The mismatch is actually a red flag that helps you identify it as a scam.
Is 0396848166 really calling from Telstra?
No. The report about 03 9684 8166 confirms this is an impersonation scam. Telstra will never threaten disconnection via automated robocall without first contacting you through official channels. Legitimate telcos contact customers directly, provide specific account details, and allow time to resolve payment issues. If you're unsure, hang up and call your actual provider using the number on your bill-never call a number the suspected scammer provides.
What should I do if I already called back 03 9684 8166?
If you called back 0396848166, do not provide any further information. Hang up immediately. Monitor your accounts and credit for unusual activity. If you provided personal details, consider placing a fraud alert with your bank and checking your credit report. Report the call to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au). Contact your actual telco to ensure your account is secure.
Can I block 03 9684 8166 on my phone?
Yes. Block 0396848166 in your phone's settings to prevent future calls. Most Australian phones allow you to add numbers to a blocked list. However, scammers often spoof numbers or use different ones, so blocking a single number provides limited protection. Also report it to your telco, as they can block it network-wide and may help prevent others from being targeted.
Why do robocalls from 03 9684 8166 use urgency tactics?
Robocalls like the one reported for 0396848166 use urgency (claiming immediate disconnection) to bypass your critical thinking. Scammers want you to panic and act without verifying the claim. By creating artificial time pressure-'your service will disconnect today'-they force victims to call back or provide information quickly. This is a proven manipulation tactic used across impersonation scams. Legitimate service issues allow time to resolve; scams do not.
Should I report 03 9684 8166 to my telco even if I didn't fall for it?
Yes, absolutely. Reporting 0396848166 to your actual telco and to ACMA helps protect other customers and builds evidence against scammers. Telcos and regulators use report data to identify patterns and take action. Even if you recognised the scam immediately, your report documents that this number is being used for impersonation and adds weight to enforcement efforts. You can also contribute your experience directly on Reverseau.