- Scam
SMS scam alert: 02 5604 0476 (0256040476) impersonating Commonwealth Bank with fake payment hold alerts. Do not call back.
Commonwealth Bank Impersonation SMS from 02 5604 0476
A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 02 5604 0476 (also written as 0256040476) impersonating Commonwealth Bank. The message claimed a payment was on hold and requested the recipient call back immediately. This is a common impersonation tactic designed to trick people into revealing banking details or downloading malware.
The SMS from 0256040476 uses urgency and official-sounding language to appear legitimate. Commonwealth Bank does not request callbacks via SMS for payment issues, and legitimate alerts direct customers to log in through the official CommBank app or website instead.
What the SMS from 02 5604 0476 Says
The reported message claimed to be a CommBank Alert about a payment on hold, with instructions to call back. This mimics genuine bank notifications but contains a critical red flag: legitimate Commonwealth Bank alerts never ask customers to call a number provided in the message.
The callback request in the 02 5604 0476 SMS is the scammer's goal. Once you call the number, you may reach a voice prompt that sounds official, or a person claiming to be from Commonwealth Bank. They will ask for account numbers, PINs, passwords, or other sensitive information under the pretence of verifying your identity or releasing the held payment.
Why This SMS from 0256040476 Is Dangerous
Impersonation SMS scams like this one from 02 5604 0476 succeed because they exploit trust in recognisable brands and create artificial urgency. The mention of a held payment triggers concern, making recipients more likely to act without thinking. Scammers count on people calling back immediately without verifying the message through official channels.
The callback request is designed to establish direct contact, which makes social engineering easier. Once on the phone with a scammer, people often share information they would never type into a website, particularly when they believe they're speaking to their bank.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 5604 0476
- Do not: Call the number in the message, click any links, or reply to the SMS
- Do not: Share account numbers, PINs, passwords, or other banking details
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: If concerned about a payment, log directly into the CommBank app or visit commbank.com.au (type the URL yourself, do not use any link from the SMS)
- Do: Block 02 5604 0476 on your phone to prevent future messages
- Do: Report the SMS as spam and as a scam attempt
How to Report 02 5604 0476
- Report to Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA): Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 and include the sender number 02 5604 0476 (or 0256040476)
- Report to Scamwatch: Visit scamwatch.gov.au and file a report with details of the SMS and the fake CommBank alert claim
- Report to Commonwealth Bank: Call CommBank directly on 13 2221 (use the number on your card, not any number in the SMS) and inform them of the scam message
- Report on Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 02 5604 0476 to help other Australians identify this scam
Protection Tips for Banking SMS Scams
Banks never ask you to call them back via SMS with banking details. If you receive any message claiming to be from your bank, always contact the bank using the phone number on your card or their official website. For Commonwealth Bank, that number is 13 2221.
Be especially cautious of SMS messages mentioning holds, urgent action required, or security alerts. Scammers use these themes specifically because they bypass normal caution. Legitimate banks understand this and have moved to app-based notifications and secure in-app messaging for sensitive matters.
If you called 02 5604 0476 or 0256040476 and provided any information, contact your bank immediately and consider changing your passwords and monitoring your accounts for unauthorised activity.
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SMS claiming to be Commbank Alert about payment on hold, asking to call back
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 5604 0476 a real Commonwealth Bank number?
No. 02 5604 0476 (0256040476) is not a Commonwealth Bank number. The SMS claiming to be from CommBank is a scam. CommBank's customer service number is 13 2221. Never call a number provided in an unsolicited SMS.
Why would a scammer send an SMS from 02 5604 0476 about a payment hold?
Scammers use payment holds because they create urgency and concern. The SMS from 0256040476 is designed to make you panic and call back without verifying the message. Once you call, the scammer can impersonate a bank employee and extract banking details.
What information should I never share in response to an SMS like the one from 02 5604 0476?
Never share account numbers, PINs, passwords, card numbers, CVV codes, or one-time verification codes. If someone claiming to be from CommBank calls you after you contact 02 5604 0476, remember that your bank already has this information and will never ask for it over the phone.
I called 02 5604 0476 back. What should I do now?
Contact Commonwealth Bank immediately on 13 2221 using the number on your card. Inform them you received a scam SMS and may have spoken to a scammer. If you shared any details, ask about monitoring your account for fraud and consider changing your online banking passwords.
How do I report the SMS from 0256040476?
Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting number), report it to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, and contact Commonwealth Bank on 13 2221. You can also report the number 02 5604 0476 and your experience on Reverseau to help warn other Australians.
Can I block 02 5604 0476 to prevent future messages?
Yes. On most smartphones, you can block 02 5604 0476 (0256040476) directly from the message thread. However, scammers often use different numbers, so blocking a single number provides limited protection. The best defence is never calling back unsolicited banking alerts and always verifying through official channels.