This is a scam, pretending to be Telstra and asking you to give them remote control of your computer. Not a good idea! They have called three times in the last two days.

twice in the last two days Sunshine Coast Area - please be aware that Telstra do not have an outward bound contact centre claiming to be the Telstra Technical Department - no such department exists under that name. Whats more they will say they have evidence that your IP address is broadcasting errors to their server via the internet connection. Even if they did have an IP address - there is nothing that connects an IP address to your personal a phone number. If you want to play with them - ask them how they got your number and ask them which computer in the house and then tell them your with Optus or another carrier. In the last six months we have received over 40 calls from the same scam contact centre. They also tried the escalation trick - i will put you through to my level 6 NBN Technician. Or else; ask them a personal question - what would your parents think...knowing that you are scamming people for a living.?!

The other problem with these scam callers is that even if the phone is answered by the answering machine, they will continue to inundate the number with calls trying to get that one time it will be answered.

Same phone number. I am on the Do Not Call Register. Usual message of my computer being hacked. I said my husband was an IT person and would fix my computer if necessary. She screamed at me that I was lying. Said I would call the police and hung up. They called again this evening. I have caller ID and identified the same number, so did not pick up.

Some folks who have posted here express great frustration that Telstra does nothing or that the calls come even though being on the Do Not Call Register or that the Federal Gov't should arrest the scammers. These calls are made using the VOIP technology (Voice Over Internet Protocol), which is a bit like the old internal PABX phone systems businesses used to use. However the VOIP is connected through a computer. There is a robotic programme that dials out using the computer cable system and is rerouted so that you cannot discover the true Caller ID number. The calls are not coming via the local Australian telephone exchange which is why Telstra, Optus etc are unable to do much. This explains why the Do Not Call register is ignored because the scammers (a) don't care and (b) are under no compelling legal reason to obey local laws. Aside from using call number blocks and similar techniques, some may enjoy responding to the scammers in various ways (aside from cursing them with abuse that is like water off a duck's back to them). If you receive a silent call the first time, then check your call-back button and jot down the phone number. You will be able to cross-check it against bulletin boards like this one. Next time they call listen for a moment it will be clear that it is not a local call. Do not say hello. Instead recite their phone number (which of course is not genuine). When the caller speaks you can generate a conversation suggesting that they have (a) called the real telephone number they have "borrowed" or (b) that they have a glitch in their VOIP and instead of calling you they are talking to someone else in the same call centre. Repeat their spiel back to the caller and say "hey, stand up and wave so i can see you from my work-station". That will flummox many of them. Or pretend to be a person of non-English speaking background, so you cannot understand them. Recently I had one call come where they claimed to be Telstra and that I was going to have my internet connection cut off for 2 months. I put on a Spanish accent and said "what is internet connection?" They kept up the spiel about cutting it off and I said "I don't care" and they hung up - no more calls using that scam. Or, tell them they have had their call diverted to a "Technical Department" because they have a huge malfunction in their VOIP. Tell them that "quickwire" software, together with a bluetooth connection, has been used on their headset. Everything they are saying is being broadcast and recorded ... their VOIP is being traced and an arrest warrant will be issued. Tell them they will go to prison and become the cell-mate of a hairy biker who will turn them into a "wife". Use your imagination! Don't be taken off-guard. Take control of the call and hassle them.

This number has called every day for the past week, up to three times a day. I still have a landline with msg bank and even though the caller does not say anything, it still records as a msg. So, I end up with “you have three etc.” new msgs. So much for having a silent number.

Yes, this is using VOIP, but the VOIP still has to trunk into the Australian PSTN - The Australian Telcos could identify (via volume of calls, and customer complaints what the numbers are, and block them at the exchange level. Of course, they could move onto new numbers, but that is a PITA for them. Equally, if the telco's were serious they could work with the AFP and the indian Police to trace back to these call centres.

( I used to be techn support for the Alcatel System 12 telephone exchanges that Telstra used - and co authored a book on VOIP Security.

same problem told them they were a scammer, they hung up. Now they ring and say nothing then hang up, why can they not be stopped??

This is a scam, pretending to be Telstra ringing Central Coast numbers and asking you to give them remote control of your computer.

Saying they are telstra which they are not want to get into my internet

3 calls today from this number. First call I listened, then passed to my husband telling her he's the techy in our house. After listening to the details of how scammers have been hacking our internet and getting our personal information, and she can help us how to fix the problem, my hubby told her he knows how to fix the problem and doesn't need her help. We also had a bit of fun and left the line open for several minutes during the call - she was repeatedly saying 'hello', 'are you there' etc. Second call a minute or so later we let go to voicemail. Half an hour later she called again. I told her I know she is a scammer and to stop calling. She asked me how I know that she is a scammer...? I suggested she put her number into her internet search engine and read all the comments. We also get many calls from 02 and 03 landline numbers - we ignore them. We hadn't had an 07 one before which is why I answered it today... I would like to know if these scammers have to pay for all the calls they make. If so, it would make it worthwhile to keep them on the line as long as possible.

I called Telstra and reported the number - apparently it is a disconnected phone number and the scam artists are masking the call (however that happens) to use the number. In any case, Telstra has blocked the number from my phone line - if you are with Telstra call their Unwelcome Calls Centre on 1800 805 996.

(07) 5416 9854 -This number keeps calling landline and when you pick up the call they hang up Very, very annoying.

Lady with Indian accent saying she was from Telstra Technical Department. Said she could prove she was from Telstra as she had the ID for my internet connection. Demanded I turn on my computer "right now" so she could fix the problem. I told her I would not give her access and that I would call Telstra myself and she gave up.

Have rang my mobile phone number TWICE today!!! Go and get A REAL job -.-

Several calls with no one speaking, then hung up. Typical of many call centre scams

I am totally sick of this number calling me upto 5 times a day telling me my internet has been hacked. I have told them to F**k off,i have told them that im going to report the calls,but still recieving the F-ing calls....

Did not answer as it appeared unsolicited.

I have complained to Optus https://www.reverseaustralia.com/lookup/(07) 5416 9854/5/

They said that my phone has been hacked and they asked me go to hell !!!