- Suspicious
04 0101 6895 (0401016895): Community report of SMS impersonation scam claiming phone damage, requesting reply to phishing link.
Impersonation SMS Scam Reports for 04 0101 6895
A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 04 0101 6895 (also written as 0401016895) containing a classic family impersonation scam. The message claimed to be from a family member saying their phone got wet and asked the recipient to text back. This type of scam is designed to establish contact and lead victims toward clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
The contributor correctly identified the SMS from 0401016895 as a phishing attempt. This Optus mobile number is being used to impersonate someone the recipient knows, exploiting trust to lower defences and prompt an immediate response.
What the SMS from 04 0101 6895 Says
The reported message from 04 0101 6895 follows a well-known impersonation pattern: "hi mum my phone got wet" followed by a request to text back. The urgency and emotional appeal (family member in trouble) are designed to bypass normal caution and trigger an automatic helpful response.
Once a victim replies to the SMS from 0401016895, scammers typically escalate by sending a link claiming to be account recovery, banking access, or another time-sensitive matter. The phishing link may direct victims to fake login pages or trigger malware installation.
Why This Scam Works
Family impersonation SMS scams exploit several psychological factors. Recipients see a message about a water-damaged phone and immediately think of a real family member. The request to "text back" is simple and seems harmless. By the time the victim realises it's not their actual family member, they may have already clicked a link or provided information to a follow-up message.
The use of 04 0101 6895 from an Optus mobile account makes the scam appear more legitimate than messages from obvious spam numbers. Scammers obtain legitimate mobile numbers (sometimes through data breaches or by registering new accounts themselves) specifically to increase the chance of engagement.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 0101 6895
If you receive an SMS from 04 0101 6895 or 0401016895:
- Do not: Reply to the message, click any links, or call back the number
- Do not: Share personal information, banking details, or passwords if you do respond
- Do: Contact your family member directly using a phone number you know is correct to verify they didn't actually send it
- Do: Delete the SMS immediately
- Do: Block the number 04 0101 6895 in your phone settings
- Do: Report the SMS as spam to your Optus account and to the Australian authorities
How to Report 04 0101 6895
If you receive this scam SMS from 0401016895, you can report it through multiple channels:
- Report to Optus: Forward the SMS to Optus or report it through your Optus account settings. Optus can investigate accounts sending phishing content and take action against the scammer.
- Report to ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority accepts reports of spam and scam SMS at acma.gov.au. Include the sender number (04 0101 6895), the message content, and the date received.
- Report to Scamwatch: Scamwatch.gov.au collects reports of scams affecting Australians. They use this data to identify emerging scam tactics and issue alerts.
- Report to ReportCyber: If the SMS contained a phishing link or suspected malware, cyber.gov.au accepts technical reports that help protect other Australians.
- Contribute to Reverseau: Help other Australians identify this scam by reporting your experience on Reverseau. Community contributions create a real-time database of active scam numbers.
Family Impersonation SMS - What You Should Know
Family impersonation scams via SMS are one of the fastest-growing fraud types in Australia. Scammers target multiple recipients from the same phone number (or similar numbers) and adjust the message based on responses. Some variations include:
- "Dad, I crashed the car, need money for repairs"
- "Mum, new phone number, save this"
- "Hi, it's your grandson, can you help with an urgent bill"
If you receive any unexpected SMS from a family member asking for help, money, or asking you to click a link, contact that family member directly first to verify. Scammers count on the emotional response to override logical thinking.
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text saying hi mum my phone got wet and asking me to text back, looks like a phishing scam
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 04 0101 6895 a real Optus number?
Yes, 04 0101 6895 (0401016895) is registered as an Optus mobile account. However, legitimate Optus numbers are frequently compromised or used by scammers to send phishing SMS. The fact that it's a real provider doesn't mean the person using it is legitimate. Never assume an SMS from a real mobile number is genuine - always verify by contacting the sender directly using a known phone number.
What happens if I reply to the SMS from 0401016895?
If you reply to the SMS from 04 0101 6895, the scammer knows your number is active and monitored. You'll typically receive a follow-up message with a phishing link (fake banking app, account recovery page, etc.) or a request for money. Some variations ask you to click a link to "verify your account" or claim there's urgent action needed. Do not engage with any follow-up messages from 0401016895.
Should I click the link in the SMS from 04 0101 6895?
No. Do not click any links in SMS messages from 04 0101 6895 or 0401016895. Phishing links in these family impersonation scams lead to fake login pages designed to steal your username and password, or pages that install malware on your phone. If you accidentally clicked a link, change your banking passwords immediately and contact your bank's fraud team.
How did the scammer get my phone number?
Scammers obtain phone numbers through several methods: data breaches of retailers or online services, purchased contact lists, random generation, or social media profiles. The scammer using 04 0101 6895 may have targeted you specifically or sent the same message to hundreds of people hoping some would respond. Either way, do not assume they know anything real about you beyond your mobile number.
Can I report 04 0101 6895 to Optus to get it shut down?
You can report the number to Optus, but individual reports may not result in immediate shutdown. Optus investigates accounts used for phishing and fraud, but scammers often use burner accounts or hijacked accounts. Report 0401016895 to Optus directly via their customer service, and also report to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) to help build a case against this scam pattern.
What's the difference between this SMS from 04 0101 6895 and a legitimate family message?
Legitimate family members usually call you or message from a number you recognise and have saved in your contacts. Scam SMS from 04 0101 6895 often arrive from unknown numbers and contain urgency or an unusual request ("reply quickly," "click this link," "send money"). If you're unsure, hang up or ignore the message, then call your family member directly using a number you know is correct. Real family members understand and expect this verification step.