- Suspicious
- Uncertain
- Spam
- Scam
08 8818 7720 (0888187720) - 16 reports of scam calls offering free iPhones, silent calls, and identity theft attempts. South Australian number.
Free Phone and Identity Theft Scams from 08 8818 7720
Sixteen contributors have reported suspicious activity from 08 8818 7720 (also written as 0888187720), a South Australian number registered to Primus Telecommunications. The pattern reveals multiple scam tactics centred on unsolicited offers of free or discounted mobile phones, combined with attempts to extract personal information from recipients.
Several reports describe callers claiming that the recipient's number is "lucky" and eligible for a new phone. One contributor who answered a call from 0888187720 reported the caller pitched a free iPhone while simultaneously attempting to gather personal details. Another received a pitch from what appeared to be "CM Mobile" or similar entity, with a young female caller using an Asian accent.
What Callers from 08 8818 7720 Claim
Contributors report consistent messaging around free or discounted phones. Specific phrases noted include claims that the recipient's number is "lucky" and qualifies for a new device. When recipients engaged with callers from 08 8818 7720, the conversation shifted toward requesting personal information needed to "process" the phone offer.
One contributor who called back after a missed call from 0888187720 heard an answering machine claiming to represent "Alford South Australia," though multiple contributors flagged this as likely spoofed. The caller from 08 8818 7720 claiming to represent CM Mobile hung up immediately when asked to remove the number from their list, a behaviour typical of illegitimate operations.
Beyond phone offers, one report describes a direct identity theft attempt, with the caller explicitly trying to obtain personal information under unclear pretences. Several contributors also experienced silent calls from this number, where the line went dead upon answering, possibly testing whether the number was active before a follow-up pitch.
Report Patterns and Timing
Over five months of reports (September 2025 to March 2026), 08 8818 7720 generated 16 community reports with varied intensity. Calls came through multiple channels: some answered directly, others missed, and a few reaching voicemail with no message left. The pattern suggests both targeted calling to specific numbers and broader dialling campaigns.
Six contributors did not answer and received no voicemail, typical of scam operations using automated or semi-automated dialling. Four reports specifically involved answered calls where callers engaged in conversation, indicating human operators making the pitches. Two contributors experienced silent calls, a known tactic to identify active phone numbers for subsequent scam targeting.
The timing spread across multiple seasons suggests ongoing operation rather than a one-off campaign. Recent reports (March 2026) continue to document the same patterns, indicating the number remains active.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 8818 7720
If 08 8818 7720 calls you:
- Do not: Answer if you don't recognise the number; engage with the caller; provide any personal information; confirm your full name, address, or financial details; return the call if it's a missed call
- Do: Let calls go to voicemail; block the number immediately in your phone settings; hang up without explanation if you do answer; verify any phone offer through official channels of the claimed company (call their main customer service line)
- If offered a free phone: Legitimate phone companies do not cold-call with unsolicited device offers; any legitimate promotion would come via email or official app notifications
- If asked for personal information: Legitimate organisations will never ask for ID details, passwords, or financial information during unsolicited calls
How to Report 08 8818 7720
If you've received calls from 08 8818 7720, report the activity to Australian authorities:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report phone scams and illegal calls at acma.gov.au or call 1300 850 152
- Scamwatch: Lodge a detailed report at scamwatch.gov.au, including the date, time, caller claims, and any personal information requested
- Do Not Call Register: Register your number at donotcall.gov.au to opt out of telemarketing, though scammers often ignore this
- ReportCyber: If identity theft or data security is involved, report to cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 0888187720 to help other Australians identify this number
Include specific details: the exact pitch used, whether they requested personal information, the caller's accent or any identifying details, and the date and time of the call. These reports help authorities identify scam networks and patterns.
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 8818 7720!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Phoned in from regional area, didn't pick up, seems dodgy
Missed call, tried ringing back and got a dodgy voicemail recording
Phoned my mobile today, telco filter marked it as likely dodgy, didn't answer, no voicemail
Didn't answer, called back later, young female with Asian accent said she was offering mobile phones from CM Mobile or something, told her to remove my number, she hung up
Missed call, didn't answer
Heard this number was a scam so didn't answer
Caller ID said Alford South Australia, no message left
Call saying my number's lucky and I'm getting a new phone
Received a call from this number. Let it go to voicemail by caller didn’t leave a message. Typical of scammer behaviour.
Silence when I picked up, looks like another scammer
got a call, they were speaking French, asked what language I was using, hung up, seemed odd
Caller trying to steal identity
Something to do with a smartphone. Total scam.
Called with a pitch for a free iPhone, tried to get my personal info, total scam
Missed call, tried calling back got answering machine, claimed to be from Alford SA but seems spoofed
called but didn't leave a message, bit dodgy
Got a random call but didn't ring any bells, didn't pick up and they didn't leave a message
Didn't recognize the number, no message left
Rang but too shy to leave a message, ghosted me
Help others by sharing your experience with (08) 8818 7720!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why does 08 8818 7720 keep calling if I don't answer?
Several contributors reported calls from 08 8818 7720 where no voicemail was left, a common scam tactic. Scammers use automated systems to dial hundreds of numbers and listen for a live voice, confirming the number is active and monitored. Subsequent calls may intensify once they know someone answers. Block 0888187720 in your phone settings to prevent future contact attempts.
Is the 'Alford South Australia' name on 08 8818 7720 real?
No. Multiple contributors who investigated further found that 08 8818 7720 claims to be from Alford, South Australia, but the number is spoofed. The actual service provider is Primus Telecommunications, not a local business in Alford. Scammers frequently use location names to appear legitimate. Never call back a missed call from 0888187720 to verify; instead, independently look up the claimed company's official number.
What should I do if I already gave personal information to 08 8818 7720?
If you provided details like your full name, address, date of birth, or financial information to 0888187720, monitor your credit and bank accounts closely for fraudulent activity. Consider placing a ban with your bank to prevent unauthorised transactions. Report the call to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) with as much detail as possible, including what information you shared. You may also want to check your credit report through Equifax or Experian for suspicious accounts opened in your name.
Is CM Mobile or the company offering free iPhones from 08 8818 7720 legitimate?
No. One contributor who answered 0888187720 reported a caller claiming to represent 'CM Mobile' offering a free iPhone. This is not a legitimate phone provider, and no real mobile company offers free phones through unsolicited cold calls. Legitimate phone offers come directly from the company's official website or app, not random callers. If you're interested in a phone offer, contact the company directly using a number from their official website, not any number provided by an incoming caller.
Why did the caller from 08 8818 7720 hang up when I asked to be removed?
A contributor reported that when she told the caller from 0888187720 to remove her number, the caller immediately hung up. This is typical scam behaviour-legitimate companies maintain removal logs and thank customers politely. Scammers avoid creating records of removal requests because they may eventually be used in investigations. Hanging up abruptly is a sign the operation is illegitimate and you should block the number immediately.
Should I block 0888187720 or report it first?
Do both. First, block 08 8818 7720 in your phone settings to stop incoming calls immediately. Second, report the number to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) as soon as possible while details are fresh. Reporting helps authorities identify scam networks and patterns. The sooner you block 0888187720, the fewer calls you'll receive, but reporting ensures the broader community benefits from your experience.