- Spam
Community report for 03 8384 8442 (0383848442): SMS claiming to be CommBank offering dodgy loan approval with phishing link.
CommBank Impersonation SMS Scam Reports for 03 8384 8442
A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 03 8384 8442 (also written as 0383848442) impersonating Commonwealth Bank. The message claimed to offer a loan approval and included a phishing link designed to harvest personal or financial information. This type of SMS scam exploits trust in Australia's major banks to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or entering sensitive data.
The report about 0383848442 indicates the scammer used CommBank's brand recognition as social engineering leverage. Since the SMS came through a standard local number rather than a suspicious shortcode, the impersonation may have been more convincing to recipients unfamiliar with legitimate bank communication practices.
What the SMS from 03 8384 8442 Contained
The contributor received an SMS claiming CommBank approval for a loan product. The message included a link designed to appear legitimate. When clicked, such links typically direct victims to fake bank login pages or forms requesting personal identification details, account numbers, or other sensitive financial information.
CommBank does not send unsolicited SMS offers with links for loan approvals. Legitimate banks verify applications through secure, authenticated channels and do not ask customers to click links in SMS messages to confirm loan approvals or access account details.
Why Phishing Links in SMS Are Dangerous
SMS phishing (smishing) is particularly effective because people tend to trust SMS messages more than emails. A message from 03 8384 8442 claiming to be from CommBank exploits this trust. Clicking the link in such messages can lead to:
- Installation of malware on your phone
- Compromise of banking credentials and two-factor authentication
- Identity theft through harvesting of personal information
- Unauthorised fund transfers from your bank account
- Creation of fraudulent accounts in your name
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 03 8384 8442
If you receive an SMS from this number or similar CommBank impersonation attempts:
- Do not: Click any links in the message, reply to the SMS, or call any number provided
- Do not: Enter personal information, passwords, or banking details on any page the link leads to
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Report the SMS to CommBank directly by calling the number on your bank card or logging into your official CommBank app
- Do: Block the number 03 8384 8442 on your phone to prevent further contact
- Do: Forward the phishing SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's report spam service)
How to Verify Legitimate CommBank Contact
If you're unsure whether a message claiming to be from CommBank is real:
- Never click links or call numbers in unsolicited SMS messages
- Call CommBank directly on the number on the back of your card or visit commbank.com.au
- Log into your CommBank app and check your messages or notifications within the app itself
- Ask your bank directly whether they sent the message
- CommBank will never ask for passwords, PINs, security codes, or full account numbers via SMS
How to Report 03 8384 8442
Report this phishing SMS through the following channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 with a description of the scam. Visit acma.gov.au for more information on reporting phishing and scam SMS.
- Scamwatch: Report the incident at scamwatch.gov.au to help warn other Australians
- CommBank: Contact CommBank's fraud team directly through their official app or phone number on your card
- Reverseau: Share your experience with 03 8384 8442 to help your community identify and avoid this scam
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SMS claiming to be Commbank offering a dodgy loan approval
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 03 8384 8442 really CommBank calling me?
No. CommBank does not send unsolicited SMS messages offering loan approvals with links. If you received an SMS from 03 8384 8442 claiming to be CommBank, it is a scam. Call CommBank directly on the number on your card to verify, do not use any number provided in the suspicious SMS.
What happens if I click the link in the 0383848442 SMS?
Clicking the link in an SMS from 0383848442 could install malware on your phone, direct you to a fake login page designed to steal your banking credentials, or trigger harvesting of personal information. If you accidentally clicked the link, contact CommBank immediately and consider changing your passwords from a secure device.
Why would a scammer use 03 8384 8442 instead of a CommBank number?
Scammers use regular local numbers like 03 8384 8442 because they appear more trustworthy than obvious spoofed numbers. A Victorian local number makes the SMS seem legitimate, increasing the chance you'll click the link before suspicion sets in.
Should I reply to the SMS from 03 8384 8442 asking them to stop?
No. Do not reply to the SMS from 03 8384 8442. Replying confirms your number is active and monitored, making you a higher-value target for further scam attempts. Delete the message and block the number instead.
How do I report the phishing SMS from 0383848442?
Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting service) with details about the scam. Also report it to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and notify CommBank directly through your official CommBank app or card helpline. Report your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians.
Can I get my money back if I fell for the 03 8384 8442 scam?
Contact CommBank immediately if you entered banking details or transferred funds after clicking the link from 0383848442. Report the fraud to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Recovery depends on how quickly you act and whether funds have been transferred. CommBank's fraud team can advise on your specific situation.