- Scam
- Uncertain
08 7942 3222 (0879423222): Contributors report robocall impersonation of Department of Immigration with urgency tactics claiming documents need immediate signing.
Department of Immigration Impersonation Reports for 08 7942 3222
Two contributors have reported calls from 08 7942 3222 (also written as 0879423222) involving impersonation of the Department of Immigration. One contributor who answered the call received a robotic recording claiming to be from the Department of Immigration, stating urgent paperwork needed to be signed immediately. The caller used high-pressure language to create a sense of urgency and time constraint.
A separate report about 0879423222 describes a missed call followed by an SMS with a voice transcript claiming important documents required immediate attention, with prompts to press 1 for English or 2 for Chinese. The SMS referenced a slightly different number (08 7942 3227), which is a common variation tactic used in scam campaigns.
What Callers from 08 7942 3222 Say
The robocall from 08 7942 3222 specifically claimed affiliation with the Department of Immigration and demanded urgent document signing. Contributors reported the voice was clearly robotic and automated, not a live operator. The message created artificial urgency by stating action was required immediately, a hallmark tactic in government impersonation scams.
The follow-up SMS to the missed call directed recipients to press numbered keys to proceed, typical of automated callback scam systems. By including both English and Chinese language options, the scammers appear to be targeting a broad demographic across Australia. The slight phone number variation in the SMS (0879423222 versus 08 7942 3227) is deliberate misdirection to complicate reporting.
Call Patterns and Timing
The reports for 08 7942 3222 indicate rapid sequential contact attempts. One contributor received a missed call that rang only three times before disconnecting, followed almost immediately by an SMS with a voice transcript. Another contributor reported the call came today, suggesting active campaign status. When the contributor attempted to ring back, they encountered a recorded message stating the line was busy, which is typical callback scam prevention.
Two additional reports marked the calls as uncertain, with contributors noting only that 0879423222 appeared dodgy with no voicemail left. This pattern of brief rings, no voicemail, and immediate follow-up contact is consistent with robocall and callback scam behaviour designed to pressure recipients into returning the call.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 7942 3222
If 08 7942 3222 calls you:
- Do not: Answer or return the call, press any numbered keys when prompted, or provide any personal information
- Do: Let the call go to voicemail, block the number immediately, and verify any government claims by calling the official department directly
- Verify independently: Contact the Department of Immigration directly via the official Services Australia website or call the official published number to confirm any document requests
- Never engage: Do not attempt to return calls to 0879423222, as this completes the scammer's objective and confirms your number is active
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 08 7942 3222
If you receive an SMS from 0879423222:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or press numbered keys as instructed
- Do: Delete the message, block the sender, and report it as spam
- Forward the SMS: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting) and include the original sender number 08 7942 3222
- Screenshot evidence: Save a copy of the SMS in case you need to lodge a formal complaint
How to Report 08 7942 3222
Report this number through the following Australian government resources:
- Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call or SMS from 08 7942 3222. Scamwatch monitors patterns and publishes alerts about active scams.
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the robocall and SMS to acma.gov.au. ACMA investigates unwanted calls and can take enforcement action against providers.
- Services Australia: If the scam impersonated government services, report via servicesaustralia.gov.au or call 1800 817 285 to alert them of the impersonation attempt.
- Reverseau community: Contribute your own experience with 0879423222 to help other Australians identify this number. Community reports build the evidence base for action.
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 7942 3222!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Phone rang, stopped before I could accept, tried to ring back, just got a dodgy robot like voice recording saying phone busy.
Text message from voice transcript claiming important documents push 1 for English, push two for Chinese.
Phone number was: (08) 7942 3227.
Picked up, recording claiming Department of Immigration saying I gotta sign papers urgently
Just had a ring from this number, only went for three rings
Don't know who rang, looks dodgy, no voicemail
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 7942 3222!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 08 7942 3222 a real government number?
No. The Department of Immigration does not contact people unsolicited via robocalls demanding urgent document signing. If you receive a call from 08 7942 3222 (0879423222) claiming to be from the Department of Immigration, it is a scam. Always verify by contacting the official department directly using the number on the Services Australia website, never using a number provided by the caller.
Why did 08 7942 3222 hang up when I tried to answer?
Scammers using 0879423222 employ a tactic called 'robocall drop' where the line disconnects after a few rings. This is intentional behaviour designed to trigger you to call back. When you return the call to 08 7942 3222, the scammers confirm your number is active and listening, which increases your chances of receiving more calls and scams.
What should I do if I already pressed a key when 08 7942 3222 called?
If you pressed a numbered key in response to the 0879423222 robocall, do not send any further information or money. Block the number immediately and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Lodge a report with Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au. Consider placing a fraud alert with your bank if you provided any financial details.
Why does the SMS from 08 7942 3222 mention a different phone number?
The SMS associated with 0879423222 referenced a slightly different number (08 7942 3227). Scammers deliberately vary phone numbers across their campaign to confuse victims and make reporting less effective. Both numbers should be reported and blocked, and you should warn others about both variants.
How can I block 08 7942 3222 on my phone?
Block 0879423222 by going to your phone's contact details for the number and selecting 'Block' or 'Add to Blocked List'. For SMS messages, mark as spam before deleting. Most Australian phone providers also offer network-level blocking through their customer portal. Contact your provider (in this case, the service is registered to Symbio Networks) to request blocking at the network level.
Should I report this to the police?
You can report 08 7942 3222 to the Australian Federal Police online at cybercrime.gov.au (ReportCyber portal), which handles telecom fraud and scams. However, the primary agencies for this type of robocall impersonation are Scamwatch and ACMA. Report to scamwatch.gov.au and acma.gov.au first, as they track patterns across multiple victims and can take regulatory action against the provider of 0879423222.