- Scam
0420 122 961 (0420122961): Contributor reports rapid-fire scam calls from this number and similar variants within minutes, suggesting coordinated number-spoofing campaign.
Repeated Scam Calls from 0420 122 961
One contributor has flagged 0420 122 961 (also written as 0420122961) as part of a coordinated scam campaign involving multiple rapid calls. Within a single half-hour period, the contributor received at least 6 calls from this number and closely related variants, all using the pattern 0420 122 or 0420 122 123 with slight variations in the final digits.
The pattern suggests a common scam tactic: after the contributor ignored earlier scam calls from other numbers, their contact details appear to have been added to a caller list and sold or shared with additional scam operations. The scammers using 0420 122 961 are employing number spoofing to make each call appear to come from a marginally different number, betting that rapid successive calls might catch the recipient off-guard or bypass simple call-blocking strategies.
Caller Behaviour and Tactics
The contributor's experience with 0420 122 961 reflects a deliberate harassment strategy: rapid-fire calling from near-identical numbers within minutes of each other. This approach exploits gaps in basic phone blocking, since each call appears to come from a technically different number even though all variants follow the 0420 122 pattern.
The use of slightly altered numbers also makes it harder for individuals to report a single "offending" number to authorities, since the scammers are technically distributing their harassment across multiple spoofed variants. However, the pattern itself becomes the identifying feature, and reports like this one help the community recognise coordinated campaigns rather than isolated incidents.
What to Do If You Receive Calls from 0420 122 961
If 0420 122 961 or similar numbers in the 0420 122 range call you:
- Do not: Answer unknown numbers, return the call, or engage with any voicemail message
- Do: Let calls go to voicemail, enable call blocking or Do Not Disturb mode, and block the number immediately in your phone settings
- Consider: Using the disconnected-number voicemail tactic mentioned by the contributor - setting your voicemail to play a standard international disconnected tone for numbers not in your contacts, which may cause scammers to mark your number as inactive
- Enable: Call filtering features in your phone's settings to automatically send unknown numbers to voicemail
- Do not: Share your number further or engage in conversation that confirms your number is active
Report Patterns in Community Data
This single report about 0420 122 961 documents a coordinated multi-call campaign, which distinguishes it from isolated wrong-number or telemarketing calls. The contributor's observation that scammers are spoofing numbers within a narrow range (0420 122 ***) suggests this may be part of a broader operation targeting multiple individuals simultaneously.
The timing - at least 6 calls within 30 minutes - indicates automated or semi-automated dialling rather than manual contact. This rapid-fire approach is common in scam campaigns designed to overwhelm call screening or catch people at moments when they might answer without thinking.
How to Report 0420 122 961
If you receive repeated calls from 0420 122 961 or similar numbers:
- Report the number and pattern to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au
- Lodge a complaint with Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, including details about the time of calls and what the caller claims
- Register your number with the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au if you haven't already
- Report the number to your phone provider - they may be able to identify patterns of spoofed calls and block them at the network level
- Consider adding a community report on Reverseau with specific times, call frequency, and any audio or message details you notice
- If the calls escalate or contain threats, report to local police via 000 or the non-emergency line 131 444
Protect Yourself from Spoofed Number Campaigns
Scammers using 0420 122 961 and similar variants are relying on the assumption that slightly different numbers will evade call blocking. However, several steps can help protect you:
- Block by pattern: Many phones allow blocking of numbers by prefix - blocking all numbers starting with 0420 122 may help if you don't have legitimate contacts using that range
- Use carrier-level filtering: Ask your phone provider about free network-level filtering services that block common scam numbers
- Voicemail screening: The disconnected-tone voicemail tactic described by the contributor can be effective, but only if your voicemail is set to screen all non-contact numbers
- Do not engage: Never press buttons or say "yes" to automated questions, as this confirms your number is active and may lead to more calls
- Report patterns: When you notice multiple calls from related numbers like 0420 122 961, report the pattern rather than individual numbers - this helps authorities identify coordinated campaigns
Help others by sharing your experience with 0420 122 961!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Flagged by phone as a scam number. Part of a barrage of calls within the last half hour, at least 6 of them. Which means after I never answered the calls from the last scammers they've put my number on a list and sold it to these geniuses, who think if they call every couple of minutes from very slightly different numbers (all 0420 122 or 123 ***) that no one will be able to realise it's a non genuine caller.
An AI suggested I copy the standard international 3-tone sound for a disconnected number and use it as a voicemail greeting, and set it so any number not in my contacts list goes to voicemail and hears that sound. Then hopefully they'll mark your number as disconnected. It's a good idea, spread it.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0420 122 961!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why am I receiving multiple calls from 0420 122 961 and numbers that look almost identical?
Scammers using 0420 122 961 employ number spoofing to make each call appear to come from a slightly different number, even though they're part of the same campaign. This tactic evades simple call-blocking tools that work on individual numbers rather than patterns. When you don't answer earlier scam calls, your number is often sold to additional scam operations, triggering waves of rapid calls. The contributor's experience of 6+ calls within 30 minutes from 0420 122 961 and variants shows this coordinated approach.
Should I answer a call from 0420 122 961 to ask who it is?
No. Do not answer, speak, or press buttons when 0420 122 961 calls. Answering or engaging - even briefly - confirms to scammers that your number is active and monitored by a real person, which often leads to more frequent calls. Let the call go to voicemail, block the number, and do not return the call under any circumstances.
Does the disconnected-tone voicemail trick actually work against 0420 122 961 callers?
According to the contributor who reported 0420 122 961, setting your voicemail to play a standard international 3-tone disconnected number sound can be effective. When callers from 0420 122 961 reach this greeting, their automated systems may mark your number as inactive or disconnected, reducing future calls. However, this works best when combined with call blocking for non-contact numbers and requires your phone to be set so only contacts in your list bypass voicemail.
What does the pattern 0420 122 *** tell us about calls from 0420 122 961?
The contributor noted that all rapid calls came from numbers fitting the pattern 0420 122 or 0420 122 123 with only the final digits changing. This pattern suggests a single operation spoofing numbers within a narrow range to appear different while staying connected to the same scam infrastructure. Reporting the pattern rather than individual numbers helps authorities identify coordinated campaigns, which is why your report about 0420 122 961 is valuable to the community.
How should I report repeated calls from 0420 122 961?
Report 0420 122 961 to the ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, including the time of calls, frequency (the contributor received 6+ in 30 minutes), and any message content. Also report to your phone provider so they can implement network-level blocking. Adding your report to Reverseau helps other Australians recognise the same campaign and understand the pattern of spoofed numbers.
Why does my number keep appearing on scammer lists after I ignore their calls?
When you don't answer scam calls, your number isn't removed from lists - it's often marked as "active" (someone is screening calls) and sold or shared with other scam operations. This is why the contributor experienced waves of calls from 0420 122 961 and other numbers after ignoring earlier scammers. The solution is to register with the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au, block aggressively, and use voicemail filtering to avoid encouraging further contact.