- Scam
Community report for 0403 207 048 (0403207048): Caller impersonating SES requesting $550 payment for business pamphlet listing.
SES Impersonation Report for 0403 207 048
A contributor has reported receiving a call from 0403 207 048 (also written as 0403207048) from someone claiming to represent the State Emergency Service (SES). The caller requested $550 from the recipient's business in exchange for adding the business name to a pamphlet. This report highlights a targeted impersonation scam exploiting trust in legitimate emergency service organisations.
What the Caller from 0403 207 048 Claimed
The caller impersonating the SES told the contributor they could have their business listed in an SES pamphlet for a fee of $550. The contributor did not proceed with the payment and reported the call. This type of scam exploits business owners who may feel obligated to support community services or believe the listing offers genuine promotional value.
Caller Details and Phone Service
The call came from 0403207048, a mobile number on the Optus network. The use of a mobile number rather than a recognised SES landline is a red flag, as legitimate SES communications typically come from official office numbers. Contributors should be aware that scammers regularly spoof or use unrelated mobile numbers to appear legitimate.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0403 207 048
If 0403 207 048 calls your business or personal line:
- Do not: Agree to any payments, provide business details, or confirm your existence on the call
- Do: Hang up immediately and verify any legitimate SES communication by contacting your local SES unit directly using their official published number
- Do: Block the number on your phone if calls continue
- Do: Ask yourself: would a real charity or government service cold-call demanding payment for a listing
How to Report 0403 207 048
If you receive a call from 0403 207 048 claiming to be from the SES or another organisation:
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Lodge a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au
- Report the mobile number to your phone provider (in this case, Optus) for potential suspension
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help warn other contributors in your community
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Someone claiming to be from the SES wanting $550 from my business to add my name to a pamphlet
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is the SES (State Emergency Service) real, and would they call to sell pamphlet listings?
Yes, the SES is a real legitimate organisation, but they do not conduct cold-call fundraising for pamphlet listings. The call from 0403 207 048 claiming to represent the SES is a scam. Always verify requests from organisations you don't recognise by hanging up and calling their official published number directly.
Why would a scammer use a mobile number like 0403207048 instead of a landline?
Scammers use mobile numbers because they're harder to trace and can be quickly abandoned if reported. A legitimate SES office would use a recognisable landline published on their official website. If 0403 207 048 calls claiming to be from any government or charity organisation, this mobile number is a red flag.
What should I do if I already gave information to the caller from 0403 207 048?
If you shared business details, your name, or payment information with the caller from 0403207048, contact your bank immediately to alert them of potential fraud. Monitor your accounts for unauthorised transactions. Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and consider changing passwords if you revealed sensitive details.
How can I verify if a call claiming to be from the SES is legitimate?
Never trust caller ID alone. If someone calls from 0403 207 048 or any number claiming to be the SES, hang up and independently call your local SES unit using the number on their official website. Legitimate organisations will never pressure you to pay immediately or refuse to let you verify them independently.
Can I block 0403 207 048 on my phone?
Yes, most phones allow you to block numbers directly. After blocking 0403207048, consider reporting it to your mobile provider (Optus in this case) and to ACMA at acma.gov.au. Blocking helps prevent repeated calls from this number.
Should I return the call or text back to 0403207048 if they leave a message?
No. Do not return calls to 0403 207 048 or respond to any messages from this number. Doing so confirms your number is active and may lead to more calls from scammers. Simply block the number and report it to the relevant authorities.