Apparently there are some bad people out there trying to steal your money by trying to make you call dodgy phone numbers. They call you and if you miss the call and call them back, you dial a number that's on the internet or something and get charged $50 for the call. These are the numbers believed to be doing the damage;



(02) 8219 0500
(02) 8303 8320
(02) 8303 8321
(02) 8404 2201
(02) 8404 2203
(02) 8404 2213
(02) 8404 2215
(02) 8404 2235
(02) 8404 2236
(02) 8404 2245
(02) 8404 2296
(02) 8404 2298
(03) 8102 9565
(03) 8558 0556
(03) 8558 1441
(03) 8558 1442
(03) 8558 1443
(03) 8558 1444
(03) 8558 1445
(03) 8558 1446
(03) 8558 1447
(03) 9540 2950
(03) 9540 5100
(03) 9540 5101
(03) 9540 5187
(03) 9540 5189
(03) 9855 2913

So if you have these in your missed call list, delete them and never call them.
I have yet to hear if anyone who picks up when one of these numbers ring has gotten charged the $50.

You're sort of right.

I've had the missed call 3 times.

They hang up instantly so that you can't pick up. then you call back and get a message telling you that you have won a prize and you are directed to phone an expensive number or sign up to an expensive sms scam.

So calling back doesn't get you charged zillions ( I assume you legally have to state the cost of calling a premium service) , it's only if you believe the scammer and follow through that you get charged.


I've never called them back, and it's nice to know that the news is about 6 months behind as that's when I got my first one. I didn't recognise the number so I googled it and found out about the scam.

When I see missed calls with numbers I dont recognise I delete them anyway, anyone who would be calling my mobile would have their name displayed on the screen.

I just figure if it's important enough then they can call me back.

But I can see how people who run their own business could be exploited as a missed call could be potantial work so they'd definitely call back

Ow, I get dumb people calling all the time from comapnies and stuff, better watch out for this though.

I just checked my missed calls list, remembering that I've had a couple of random calls from the eastern states recently. Both of the unknown numbers were on that list. Bastards. I just assumed it was some QLD/NSW fool who had the wrong number.

same here! cheers for the heads up DJ-Civic!!

The first I heard of something of this nature was from one of my lecturers, who had told us the call was a totally unethical means of marketing, where not only are they able to perform the practices of telemarketing, but also charge customer for the call.

The $50 charge I think is somewhat of a wives-tale. I think it all has to do with how long you are on the call. I got one of these calls just a day after my lecturer told me about it, otherwise I most likely would have called back.

I've had two missed calls from the numbers, and I actually called one back. As soon as I found out it was a recorded message I immediately hung up and only payed the normal amount that I usually pay (20 cents or so). The $50 is if you continue on the call and follow their prompts.

If you're stupid enough to follow the prompts and stay on the line, where are you coming across $50 :P

I've had the missed call, sorta knew about it before it happened so I just deleted it. It's a bit like the "we urgently require your bank details" email from a hacked version of National Bank

:lol:
I can't believe people fall for those fake bank emails. I'm sure if someone got a "Please lend us your savings and we'll pay you back with interest!" email, they'd do it.

Oh god! Im with 3 phone company so i better watch out for these phone calls, so if they ring and I go to answer it they and they hang up instantly i wont be ringing back thats for sure.

Thanks for the warning :)

Hey I got called on one of these. I called back on the phones at work because I had no credit on my mobil - so that's what your donations to the wilderness society go to - paying scams like this :P. As soon as I realised it wasn't somebody actually wanting to talk to me I hung up :P

Wow did it end up costing money to the company you work for beast?

I have no idea - it doesn't sound like it if you read this topic - it's just a recorded message telling you to call/sms another number and if you do you get charged $50 or whatever. I only listened to the first half or so of the message.

I'm hanging out for this recorded messege from Steve Fielding (Family First senator):

You are receiving this uninvited call today because the government and opposition voted to give a special exemption to politicians and political parties to make annoying calls like this one. Australians can look forward to uninvited messages like this at the next election, if not before. In fact, I might even call you back later today. - Steve Fielding