- Scam
- Uncertain
Community reports for 04 2957 1742 (0429571742): Callers impersonate Firefighters Relief Journal, demand payment for unauthorised magazine ads with fake invoices.
Firefighter Magazine Impersonation Reports for 04 2957 1742
Four contributors have reported calls from 04 2957 1742 (also written as 0429571742) involving a fake "Firefighters Relief Journal" or "Fire Fighter Magazine" invoice scam. The pattern is consistent: callers claim the recipient owes money for advertising placements they never authorised, using fake invoices marked "not a bill" as cover. One contributor had their suspicions confirmed by the ATO itself, who identified the operation as fraudulent.
The scam specifically targets small business owners and sole traders by impersonating a legitimate-sounding publication. Contributors report the caller identified herself as "Cathy" in multiple instances, lending false credibility to the scheme. When questioned about proof or details, callers become evasive, and some have escalated to threats and harassment.
What Callers from 04 2957 1742 Claim
Callers from 0429571742 present themselves as representatives of a "Firefighters Relief Journal" or "Fire Fighter Magazine" and allege the recipient has an existing account or has already approved advertising. They demand payment ranging from $110 to amounts offset by supposed "discounts," with one contributor reporting a $100 discount offer on an unknown balance.
The key deception tactic involves sending or referencing a fake invoice marked "not a bill" to create false legitimacy. When contributors question the legitimacy of the magazine or their supposed account, callers from 04 2957 1742 become defensive and refuse to provide verifiable proof. One contributor reported the caller became evasive when asked for evidence, a classic sign of fraud. A second number, 0433 616 028, has been used by the same operation to harass the same victim after they rejected the initial demand.
Report Patterns and Timing
The four reports span from October 2024 to December 2025, with calls answered by recipients, suggesting active and persistent targeting. One contributor received two calls in a single day from 04 2957 1742, indicating the scammers may dial multiple times to increase pressure. The use of a second number (0433 616 028) to continue harassment after the victim rejected the initial demand demonstrates coordinated follow-up tactics.
All four reports describe the same core scheme with identical elements: a fake publication name, demands for advertising fees, and use of a female caller named "Cathy." This consistency across multiple contributors and months suggests an organised operation rather than isolated fraud attempts.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 04 2957 1742
If 04 2957 1742 calls you:
- Do not: Acknowledge any supposed account, agree to payment, or provide personal or business details
- Do not: Return the call or engage further if you hang up
- Do: Hang up immediately and block the number
- Do: Ignore any invoices marked "not a bill" - they are not legitimate payment demands
- Do: Verify independently by contacting any legitimate organisation directly using contact details from their official website, never using numbers provided by the caller
- Do: Be aware that callers may use follow-up numbers (like 0433 616 028) to continue harassment if you reject their initial demand
How to Report 04 2957 1742
Report this number and your experience to Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au, including details of what was claimed and any invoices sent
- ACMA: Lodge a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au to help identify patterns of phone-based fraud
- Australian Federal Police: If you believe you've been targeted by organised fraud, report at cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Share your experience on this page to warn other Australians about 0429571742 and similar numbers
Keep records of all calls, dates, times, and any invoices or follow-up communications from 04 2957 1742 or related numbers like 0433 616 028. This information helps authorities build a case against the operation.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0429 571 742!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Pretended to be from Firefighters Relief Journal, sent fake invoice saying not a bill, I never approved ads, ATO confirmed it's a scam, now harassing from another number 0433 616 028
woman claimed I owed money for ad in Fire Fighter Magazine but never advertised there
Two calls today from woman named Cathy asking for $110 for Firefighter account I didn't authorise, clearly a scam
Woman named Cathy called about overdue invoice for Firefighter Relief Journal, offered $100 discount. journal doesn't exist, she got evasive when asked for proof
Help others by sharing your experience with 0429 571 742!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is Firefighters Relief Journal a real publication?
No. Multiple contributors have confirmed that the "Firefighters Relief Journal" and "Fire Fighter Magazine" referenced by callers from 04 2957 1742 do not exist. The ATO has confirmed calls from 0429571742 claiming this publication are part of a scam. Do not engage with invoices related to this fake magazine.
What if I receive a call from 04 2957 1742 claiming I have an approved advertising account?
This is a false claim. If you never authorised advertising with any publication, you do not have an account. Contributors report that when they questioned 0429571742 about proof of their accounts, callers became evasive and could not provide verification. Hang up and block the number without acknowledging any supposed account.
Should I pay the invoice amount offered by the caller from 04 2957 1742?
No. The invoices sent by callers from 0429571742 are fraudulent. Even if marked "not a bill," they are not legitimate payment demands. Contributors who have challenged these invoices found no real publication exists and no advertising was ever placed. Do not transfer any money.
Will 04 2957 1742 stop calling if I ignore them?
Not necessarily. One contributor received harassment from 04 2957 1742, and when they rejected the demand, the same scammers called from a different number (0433 616 028) to continue pressuring for payment. Block 0429571742 and any follow-up numbers, and report all attempts to the authorities.
What does "not a bill" on an invoice from 04 2957 1742 mean?
Scammers use "not a bill" as a legal disclaimer to avoid formal debt collection regulations, but it does not make the invoice legitimate. The phrase is a red flag, not a guarantee of safety. Invoices from 0429571742 claiming advertising fees for non-existent publications are fraudulent regardless of disclaimers.
How can I verify if this is a legitimate invoice for an actual magazine ad?
If you receive an invoice from 04 2957 1742, do not contact the number on the invoice. Instead, independently search for the publication online and find contact details from their official website. For example, if they claim to represent a real firefighter organisation, contact that organisation directly. Contributors who took this step found the "Firefighters Relief Journal" does not exist, confirming 0429571742 is a scam.