1300 360 986 - 1300360986: Impersonation & Urgency Scam Reports

• Scam
• Spam
• Suspicious

1300 360 986 (1300360986): 5 reports of fake Origin Energy and Qantas calls using urgency tactics, phishing links, and false account claims.

Impersonation Scam Reports for 1300 360 986

Five contributors have reported suspicious activity involving 1300 360 986 (also written as 1300360986), with a clear pattern of impersonation and high-pressure tactics. The reports describe callers posing as major Australian companies - primarily Origin Energy and Qantas - to trick recipients into taking urgent action or disclosing account information.

The most common approach involves 1300 360 986 appearing in phishing emails or being referenced in SMS messages and calls claiming account issues. One contributor received an email appearing to be from Origin Energy about missed payments, but when they called the number from the email, an automated response said their number wasn't linked to any account. This inconsistency is a key warning sign that contributors noticed.

What Callers from 1300 360 986 Claim

Contributors report highly varied claims depending on the impersonation scenario. One caller used the recipient's name and insisted they call back immediately, stating "even if not right person I still needed to contact them urgently" - a common tactic to pressure people into acting without thinking. Another report described an automated call claiming to be from Origin Energy, directing the recipient to call 1300 360 986 itself, which contributors correctly identified as suspicious since this isn't Origin's official number.

A separate impersonation involved someone claiming to be from Qantas about a COVID travel credit from a booking before September 2021. This caller provided a phone number (1300 364 986 - note the similar digits to 1300360986) and strongly advised booking travel by December 31, 2023, using artificial time pressure to drive immediate action.

SMS phishing attempts linked to this activity used poorly written messages claiming electricity usage had exceeded the recipient's plan, asking them to call a different number (0485 871 591) to "resolve" the issue.

Report Patterns and Timing

The reports span from August 2023 to December 2024, suggesting ongoing activity rather than isolated incidents. Calls have arrived through multiple channels - direct calls (both answered and automated), SMS messages, and email phishing - indicating a coordinated campaign using various contact methods. Several contributors noted that 1300 360 986 was presented as an official callback number in scam communications, either directly or embedded in fake company emails and SMS messages.

The use of familiarity (knowing the recipient's name) combined with urgency messaging appears deliberate. One contributor specifically noted the contradiction between the phishing email claiming account issues and the automated response denying any account link - a red flag that suggests the scammers don't have access to real customer databases.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 1300 360 986

If 1300 360 986 calls you:

• Do not: Call the number back, engage with automated prompts, or provide any personal or account information
• Do not: Trust caller ID alone - scammers can spoof company numbers
• Do: Hang up immediately if the caller uses urgency language or pressure tactics
• Do: Contact the company directly using the official number from their website or your bill if you want to verify a claim
• Do: Block 1300 360 986 on your phone to prevent repeat calls

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 1300 360 986

If you receive an SMS linked to 1300 360 986 or referencing this number:

• Do not: Click any links in the message
• Do not: Call the number provided in the SMS
• Do not: Reply to the message
• Do: Delete the SMS immediately
• Do: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 to report it as spam
• Do: Mark the message as spam or junk in your phone settings

How to Report 1300 360 986

If you've been contacted by 1300 360 986 or believe you've been targeted by this scam:

• Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call, SMS, or email
• Report to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au if you received unsolicited marketing calls
• Report phishing emails or SMS to the company being impersonated (Origin Energy, Qantas, etc.) using the contact details on their official website
• Report cybercrime to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
• Lodge a report on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number and contribute your experience with 1300360986

Frequently Asked Questions