- Legit
- Spam
- Scam
- Suspicious
0402 997 966 (0402997966): Contributors report calls from numbers claiming animal welfare charity affiliation, with repeated calls and requests for personal information.
Animal Charity Impersonation Reports for 0402 997 966
Eight contributors have flagged calls from 0402 997 966 (also written as 0402997966), with a concerning pattern emerging around charity impersonation. One report specifically describes callers claiming to support animal welfare while requesting personal information, with the contributor noting the approach "smells fishy, just after your money." Multiple reports indicate callers reference the Animal Welfare League and claim previous donations, suggesting they may be using donor data or conducting targeted outreach.
The mix of spam, suspicious, and scam categorisations across reports of 0402997966 suggests this mobile number (Optus) is either used by a fraudulent operation mimicking legitimate charities or has been compromised for repeated unsolicited contact.
What Callers from 0402 997 966 Claim
Contributors report two distinct approaches from 0402 997 966. The first involves direct charity fundraising pitches, with callers selling raffle tickets on behalf of animal welfare organisations. The second, more concerning pattern involves callers claiming the recipient has previously donated and attempting to verify or collect personal information.
One contributor noted they returned a call from 0402997966 out of curiosity, confirming someone on the line claimed to represent an animal charity. The same contributor received a follow-up call just one hour later at 10:30 am, indicating coordinated or automated callback attempts. This persistence, combined with a report flagging the number for attempted personal information requests, suggests the operation is designed to build rapport before financial or identity requests.
Call Patterns and Timing
Reports of 0402 997 966 show varied contact methods. Several contributors received answered calls, while others report missed calls with no voicemail left. One contributor specifically noted receiving calls at 9:30 am and again at 10:30 am on the same day, indicating either multiple team members or automated dialling. Phone handset warnings labelled 0402997966 as suspicious, and one contributor's device flagged it as having a suspicious calling pattern, suggesting the number is generating enough automated alerts to trigger carrier-level identification.
The timeframe of reports spans from May to November, indicating sustained activity from this number rather than a one-off campaign.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0402 997 966
If 0402 997 966 calls you:
- Do not: Confirm personal details, verify donation history, provide banking information, or return unsolicited calls
- Do: Let it go to voicemail, hang up immediately if you answer, block the number after the first call
- Verify independently: If claiming to represent a known charity, hang up and call the organisation directly using a number from their official website, never using a number the caller provides
- Be cautious of: Callers who already know your name or donation history, as this suggests either data misuse or social engineering based on public fundraising records
Red Flags in Animal Charity Calls
Contributors should be alert to several warning signs in calls from 0402 997 966 or similar numbers claiming charity affiliation:
- Requests to verify personal information "on file"
- Pressure to donate immediately or secure a raffle entry
- Reluctance to provide an official charity name or registration number
- Follow-up calls within hours if you don't commit to a donation
- Unsolicited knowledge of previous donations (data harvesting indicator)
How to Report 0402 997 966
If you receive unwanted calls from 0402 997 966, report the number through multiple channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report spam and scam calls at acma.gov.au or by calling 1300 850 152
- Scamwatch: If the call involves financial solicitation or fraud, report at scamwatch.gov.au
- Do Not Call Register: Register your number at donotcall.gov.au to opt out of telemarketing calls (though charity calls operate under different rules)
- Block the number: Use your phone's built-in blocking feature to prevent future calls from 0402997966
- Reverseau: Report your experience with 0402 997 966 to help other Australians identify this number
If the call involved attempted fraud or identity theft, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0402 997 966!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Real organisation ringing about a regular donation, had changed card and forgot to tell them
call selling raffle tickets for Animal Welfare League
Called at 9:30 am, returned their call and it's some animal charity claiming I donated before, called again at 10:30 am today
Claimed to support animal welfare but smells fishy, just after your money
My phone says "warning: suspicious calling pattern".
called no message left
Also don't answer unknown numbers, but as no voicemail left, assume spam or such.
Phone labelled it as suspicious, didn't answer and blocked it
Prefer not to answer unknown numbers
Help others by sharing your experience with 0402 997 966!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 0402 997 966 a legitimate animal charity number?
No. While callers from 0402 997 966 claim to represent animal welfare organisations, contributors report attempts to request personal information and one report explicitly describes the approach as a financial scam mimicking a charity. Legitimate charities do not call to verify information about previous donations. If you are unsure, hang up and contact the organisation directly using their official website number, never the number provided by the caller.
Why is 0402997966 calling me repeatedly?
One contributor received two calls from 0402997966 within one hour (9:30 am and 10:30 am), suggesting either multiple team members contacting from the same shared number or an automated callback system. This persistence is characteristic of either aggressive telemarketing or fraud operations. Blocking 0402 997 966 after the first call is recommended.
What personal information are callers from 0402 997 966 trying to collect?
Reports indicate callers from 0402997966 attempt to request personal information under the guise of verifying previous donations. One contributor specifically flagged attempts to extract personal details. Never provide your full name, address, phone number, or banking details to unsolicited callers, regardless of the claimed organisation.
Why does my phone warn me about 0402 997 966?
Multiple contributors reported that their phone's built-in spam detection automatically flagged 0402 997 966 as suspicious or identified it as having a suspicious calling pattern. This occurs when a number receives high volumes of reports from other users or exhibits characteristics of spam/scam calls. These automatic warnings are a reliable indicator to avoid answering.
Should I return a call to 0402 997 966 if I missed it?
No. Do not return calls to 0402997966, especially if no voicemail was left. Returning calls to unsolicited numbers can confirm your line is active and lead to more calls. If you believe the call was legitimate, independently verify the organisation's contact details through their official website.
What should I do if 0402997966 calls claiming I previously donated to a charity?
Hang up immediately. This is a common scam tactic used by 0402 997 966 to establish false rapport and lower your guard before requesting money or personal information. Legitimate charities do not contact donors this way. If you wish to verify your donation history with a specific charity, contact them directly using a number from their official website, not one provided by the caller.