Caller: TKW Research

TKW Research, on behalf of the Department of Health, is currently conducting the 2022 Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) – a mobile phone survey. The survey is conducted annually and has been running since 2001.

You may have received a voicemail saying:

“I am calling from TKW Research in Seaford on behalf of the Victorian Department of Health.

We are calling mobile phones to contact people living in Victoria, aged 18 and over, to conduct an important study about health and wellbeing issues. The results will be used for policy, planning and research purposes, to improve the health of the Victorian population.

Please call the Department on 1800 658 830 if you would like to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient to you, otherwise we will try to call back at another time. Thank you.”

About the Survey

The Victorian Population Health Survey gives an annual assessment of the health status and wellbeing of adults living in Victoria and provides key information about the health of the population such as smoking, exercise, healthy eating and mental health.

The Survey’s findings will be used to inform evidence-based policy development and strategic planning across the Department of Health, other government departments, and the wider community.

If you decide to take part in the survey, you can choose not to answer a particular question if you do not wish to do so. You do not have to give a reason for not answering a question.

If you want more information on the survey, you can call the Department’s hotline number on 1800 658 830 or visit their website here.

To learn more about how your data is kept confidential and safe, you can read TKW’s privacy policy https://tkwresearch.com.au/services/vichealthsurvey

I received a call from this number, and verified that it was legitimate (see https://www.health.vic.gov.au/population-health-systems/victorian-population-health-survey-2023) before choosing to proceed with the survey. I tend to assume everything is a scam, and normally just politely end the call, but being familiar with market research, I suspected it was genuine. (Oh my, that sounds hilarious, "suspected it was genuine!")

It was longer than the 20min advised, and they do ask personal and health-related questions, but it was done sensitively and all questions were optional. I didn't give any identifiable info, and gave a slightly different age, slightly different postcode, and declined to several answers to assist anonymity.

Market research is important, but it's critical we protect ourselves against scams, so if unsure, err on the side of caution. And don't go by the caller's stated website as it could be fake, search it online yourself (in this case, I searched health vic survey--and all government sites will have .gov.au--the information matched so I was happy to go ahead, and ensured I didn't give identifying details). Good luck out there!

If they leave a message so it's known who they are and what they want then I'd know! otherwise, I don't know, and don't really care...

Caller: claimed to be victorian health dept

has rang so many times now I will block the number

Caller: TKW research

This woman spoke too fast to understand where she was calling from, I had to ask her to repeat herself 3 times slowly, she didn't appreciate that, I don't appreciate being phoned at 8:30pm either, I only answered it because I have a family member in hospital and thought it could be about them. I should have asked where she got my number from but forgot. I simply said I am not interested and hung up.

Caller: Survey company on behalf of Department of Health

Received one call while I was busy so scheduled another er time. I missed the rescheduled call but received another later same day. Survey was clear, polite and sensitive. Definitely not a scam. If you want first class health services it is in your interest to participate in these activities.

Claimed to be from the Department of Health for research purposes.

Tried calling me twice. Spam number doesn't leave a message

After reading all the comments on here I have forwarded this number to scam watch & Telstra scam watch, am so over these callers, whether it’s a survey or not, there was a voice message but when I looked into it all I heard was mumbling & background noise…. Astala vista baby…..

Sick of these calls many numbers all about research .

Caller: Vic Dept Health Mrkt Rstch

HAVE BLOCKED THESE VIRTUE SIGNALLING CLOWNS MULTIPLE TIMES YET THEY STILL CALL. MORE BOOSTERS AYONE? TOP UP ?
I THINK NOT.

Caller: Survey company

Survey company - won't stop calling. Call from various mobile numbers, mostly don't leave a voice mail.

True caller and Samsung flagged as Suspected Scam, number blocked

Caller: Some Butthole

Called me. I am on the Do Not Call register, but that thing is useless...

Caller: As above

Same people..called several times now..like leaches wanting to suck your blood..i never answer them...who wants to blab for 20 minutes....its not like they are going to invite you over their place for dinner or give you a couple of hundred bux

Caller: claimed to be victorian health dept

wanted to know personal details of health matters

asking for personL DETAILS