- Scam
- Suspicious
- Uncertain
Community reports for 04 8586 6776 (0485866776) warn of callers falsely claiming to represent the SES and requesting donations.
SES Impersonation Reports for 04 8586 6776
Contributors have flagged calls from 04 8586 6776 (also written as 0485866776) for impersonating the State Emergency Service. One report specifically notes that the caller claimed SES affiliation while requesting money - a red flag since the genuine SES is government-funded and does not conduct fundraising campaigns via unsolicited calls.
This number is registered to a satellite mobile provider (Pivotel), which adds another layer of concern. The use of a non-standard mobile service may be deliberate obfuscation by scammers to avoid easy identification.
What Callers from 04 8586 6776 Claim
The reported tactic involves callers falsely representing themselves as SES representatives and requesting donations. This exploits public goodwill toward genuine emergency services. Contributors note that the caller presented as legitimate, but verification revealed the claim was false.
The impersonation of government emergency services is particularly deceptive because it creates urgency and trust - two factors that make people more likely to comply with financial requests. A genuine SES contact about funding would come through official channels and verifiable methods, not cold calls from 0485866776.
Report Patterns and Timing
The two reports about 04 8586 6776 span different reporting channels and time periods. One contributor answered the call and identified the impersonation immediately, while another flagged the number as a general warning not to pick up. This suggests the scam has been operating across multiple contact attempts, though community reporting data is limited.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 04 8586 6776
If 04 8586 6776 calls you:
- Do not: Provide any payment details, bank information, or personal identification
- Do not: Agree to any donation or transfer of funds
- Do not: Return the call or engage further with the caller
- Do: Hang up immediately if you don't recognise the caller
- Do: Contact the genuine SES directly using the official number on their website to verify any claims
- Do: Block 0485866776 in your phone settings to prevent future calls
How to Report 04 8586 6776
If you've received a call from 04 8586 6776 or 0485866776 claiming to be from the SES or another charity:
- Report to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au
- Lodge a report with Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au - include details of what the caller claimed and any pressure tactics used
- Report the number to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au if you suspect it's part of a broader scam network
- Contribute your experience to Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
- If you provided any payment details, contact your bank immediately and consider reporting to the Australian Federal Police
Help others by sharing your experience with 0485 866 776!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Warning that this is a scammer, don't pick up
Claims to be SES but SES is government funded and doesn't fundraise, this is a scam
Caller tried to record my voice during the call
Someone pretended to be my son saying his phone broke and has new SIM, asked me to add them on WhatsApp
Didn't answer, no message
Nuisance, calls at evening meal time. I Did not answer.
I picked up and announced my English name and my workplace (it's a work phone also), the number disconnected instantly. Perhaps because the name didn't match their database, so they hung up. Highly suspected a telemarketing or donation call.
Rang me asking for money for SES.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0485 866 776!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would someone impersonate the SES when calling from 04 8586 6776?
Scammers impersonate legitimate emergency services like the SES because it creates immediate trust and a sense of urgency. The genuine SES is well-known and respected, making people more likely to donate quickly without verification. Calls from 0485866776 claiming SES affiliation are exploiting this goodwill for fraudulent fundraising.
Does the real SES make cold calls asking for donations?
No. The genuine State Emergency Service is government-funded and does not conduct fundraising via unsolicited phone calls. If 04 8586 6776 calls claiming to be the SES and requesting money, it is a scam. Any legitimate SES communication will come through official channels you can independently verify.
What is Pivotel and why is 0485866776 a satellite number?
Pivotel is an Australian satellite communications provider. Scammers sometimes use satellite or non-standard mobile services to create distance between themselves and their actual location, making it harder for authorities to trace calls. The fact that 04 8586 6776 is registered to a satellite provider doesn't prove the caller's identity but does add to the scam indicators.
I answered a call from 04 8586 6776 but didn't give any information - am I at risk?
Simply answering a call from 0485866776 does not put you at financial risk if you didn't share personal or banking details. However, you should block the number to prevent further contact. If the caller asked any follow-up questions or tried to build rapport before requesting money, consider reporting to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
How can I verify if a call claiming to be from the SES is legitimate?
Do not rely on the caller's word or the number they call from. Instead, hang up and independently call the official SES number in your state using a number from their official website. Never call back a number from 04 8586 6776 or any suspicious caller - always initiate contact yourself using verified contact details.
Should I block 04 8586 6776 immediately?
Yes. Block 0485866776 in your phone settings to prevent future calls. If you've already blocked it and receive additional suspicious calls, report the pattern to the ACMA at acma.gov.au and contribute to Reverseau so other Australians are aware of the scam.