- Suspicious
- Scam
- Legit
- Uncertain
The number 1800 531 866 is associated with a Telstra scam. This article details the nature of the calls received and provides guidance on how to handle them if this number calls you.
Understanding the 1800 531 866 / 00531866 Phone Number
The phone number 1800 531 866 has recently surfaced in user reports as being linked to a recurring Telstra scam. It is crucial for Australians to be aware of this communication issue as it targets unsuspecting individuals claiming to be associated with Telstra, one of the nation’s major telecommunications companies.
Classification of the Phone Number
Based on user feedback, 1800 531 866 is categorically identified as a scam number. Reports indicate that callers pretending to be from Telstra claim there are problems associated with phone numbers that might not even be connected to users receiving these calls. They often intimidate callers into taking unnecessary actions, exploiting confusion and trust in familiar company names.
Details of the Scam
The typical scenario described by victims includes a perplexing message stating that the user's phone number has been improperly assigned and needs to be changed. This message, which promises a three-month credit to the account, is part of a tactic to instil a sense of urgency and insecurity. Scammers exploit legitimate company names to foster trust, luring victims into a false sense of security while they seek to gain sensitive information or lead to further fraudulent activities.
How to Handle Calls from 1800 531 866
If you receive a call from 1800 531 866, here are some precautionary steps to take:
- Do not provide personal information: Always avoid sharing sensitive information during unsought calls.
- Hang up and verify: If you are unsure whether the call is legitimate, contact Telstra directly using verified contact details from their official website.
- Report the number: Inform the Australian Cyber Security Centre or your local consumer protection agency about the scam, as awareness may help protect others.
- Utilise Reverse Phone Lookup: Use services like Reverseau to check suspected scam phone numbers to see if others have reported similar experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 1800 531 866 serves as a warning for Australians. It is essential to be proactive and informed about such scams that misuse reputable brands to defraud. If you're ever in doubt about a call claiming to be from a trusted provider, best practices include verifying the details independently. Empower yourself with knowledge through resources like Reverse Phone Lookup Australia and avoid falling victim to phone scams.
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 531 866!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
This 'Telstra' scam is happening again - we have had our number for 30 years and received this is what we have recieved:
This number was already being used by another customer with a different provider when it was assigned to you, which may be causing some issues for both you and the other customer, including some misdirected or missed calls.
Unfortunately, to fix the issue, we need to change your phone number. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause, but it is necessary to ensure that your service is working properly. As part of this change of number, we’re going to apply a credit to your account to cover your monthly plan cost for this service for 3 months.
We plan to change your service to a new phone number on 09 December 2022, and we’ll send you the details of your new number. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this, please call us on 1800 531 633.
Kind regards,
The Telstra Team.
Always here to help.
My Telstra.
Visit us online.
Visit us instore.
Received a text and phone calls from "Telstra" ??? wanting me to ring them on 1800 number about my account. My bill is always up to date and no issues so was hesitant when I rang the number. Foreign voice became aggro when I refused to give address after telling him you have that information because you send me bills. He told me a person was wanting to have access to my phone but when I checked with that person he said it was bullshit and a scam. Glad I didn't give them information.
Scam!
Following an initial phone call a month or so ago from someone (not easy to understand) claiming to be Telstra, I hung up. On 16 October a very legit looking letter from ''Telstra'' referring to earlier call and asking me urgently to call this number. It had my correct address, my account number, bar code. I phoned Telstra on their 13 22 00 customer enquiry number, had to identify myself in the usual ways. Their response was that it was a scam, that they don't send such letters, and that it had been reported before. No action taken by me now other than reporting to Scamwatch (ie. ACCC).
Calls from this number (1800 531 866) appear very suspicious! HOWEVER, in my case at least, the call was indeed from Telstra; it turned out that they were wanting to ascertain whether or not a person who was added to my account in 2002 (15 years ago!) should still be an authorized person (authorized to make changes, cancel my service, etc.). They gave me the name of the individual, who I recognized as a former flatmate from a long time ago (15 years, I suppose). So, I informed them that the person should no longer be authorized on my account (he moved out many, many years ago!).
Why Telstra is checking 15-year-old details on current accounts I have no idea! I also expressed my concerns over the suspicious-looking nature of the contact form Telstra - the woman I spoke with mentioned that I was far from the first person to raise such concerns, and that this (suspicious-looking) had been raised to their managers more than once.
Personally, I would have been MUCH more confident that the call from 1800 531 866 was indeed from Telstra if either:
- the call originated from a phone number that I could identify/find somewhere on Telstra's website, or.
- the communication from Telstra over a non-urgent matter (checking details that have been unchanged for 15 years, it was hardly an urgent matter!) came by a more traditional method, namely a snail-mail letter from Telstra.
Bottom line: in my case at least, calling 1800 531 866 on 5 October 2017 did indeed get me through to a person who IS from Telstra.
They have called my phone 3 times, and send texts each time requesting I call them regding my Telstra accoun. I called the number and was placed on hold with the standard telstra music??
SoundED like scammers, but are an independent investigation team working outside of Telstra.
They will be investigating a FLAGGED discrepancy in your account.
I went straight to my local Telstra dealer after the call because I did update my details with them and was worried about it.
The information was already logged and detailed on my account and they showed me, a scammer could never break into the Telstra network and write action notes on.
My account.
If your worried as the caller for their Delta (D) number.
In my case, my X wife must have tried to access the account, it was red flagged and they asked me if she still had authority, I said NO.
I got text at 12:41pm saying "Hi from Telstra, we??? Ll be calling you shortly in reference to your Telstra account. Any questions call 1800 531 866 9am-7pm Mon ??? Fri." I missed their call at 4:40pm and they left voicemail message "Casey from Telstra" and to call back on 1800 531 866. I had been having trouble with my account so almost called but decided to check here first and now will not do.
Chinese (?) accented voice, most difficult to understand, claiming to want information about "my" account. Requested I call back. Didn't and won't.
Sent a letter in the mail advising they are trying to contact me regarding my account.
Scammers stating they are from Telstra.
Received message on 101 messages with accent could hardly understand but got as much as " Regarding account ---- please call urgent to 1800531866 or 132200 etc etc". I always look up this site before calling any numbers back, looks like it may be a scam.
Pretended to be from Telstra to 'verify some details of my account - who is designated to change account details on my behalf'.. Called Telstra afterwards & they said they'd had a lot of queries about the same caller - definitely scammers.
Pretending to be Telstra - scared me about my account and not think is SCAM.