- Uncertain
- Scam
Community reports for 0401 293 738 (0401293738): SMS impersonation scam claiming device damage, requesting contact via suspicious links.
Impersonation and Phishing SMS Reports for 0401 293 738
Two contributors have reported suspicious SMS activity from 0401 293 738 (also written as 0401293738), with a focus on impersonation tactics designed to manipulate recipients into clicking malicious links. The registered mobile number appears on the Optus network and has been used in coordinated messaging attempts targeting multiple family members with identical social engineering scripts.
The primary tactic involves impersonating a family member in distress, claiming a device has been damaged or lost. These messages are engineered to trigger an emotional response and bypass normal scepticism, making recipients more likely to act quickly without verification.
What Callers from 0401 293 738 Send via SMS
One contributor received an SMS from 0401293738 claiming "mum my phone fell in water using this number now," a classic impersonation technique that exploits family relationships and urgency. The message was designed to appear as though a trusted family member needed immediate contact through an alternative channel.
When the recipient questioned the sender's identity, they received no response from 0401 293 738, which is consistent with automated or semi-automated phishing campaigns. The lack of engagement when challenged suggests the scammer was not equipped to handle verification attempts.
Reports indicate that multiple family members received similar or identical messages, suggesting this number or its operator targets household groups rather than individual victims. This coordinated approach increases the likelihood of at least one family member falling for the impersonation.
Report Patterns and Timing
The SMS reports span late February and early March 2026, with the initial suspicious message arriving on 24 February, followed by a second report of similar activity on 2 March. Both reports mention the same impersonation script (device damage, family member in distress), indicating the number is being used consistently for this tactic.
The contributor who questioned the sender and received no response from 0401293738 provides clear evidence that engagement is limited once scepticism is expressed. This pattern is typical of automated SMS phishing campaigns that rely on speed and emotion rather than sustained conversation.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0401 293 738
If you receive an SMS from 0401 293 738 claiming a family member needs help:
- Do not: Click any links, call the number back, or take immediate action based on the message alone
- Do: Contact the family member directly using a number you know and trust (call their registered number, not one provided in the SMS)
- Do: Verify their story independently before sending money, sharing personal information, or downloading anything
- Do: Block 0401293738 if the number continues to send messages
- Do: Report the SMS as spam to your mobile provider (Optus, if this was the sender network)
If the SMS contains a link and you have already clicked it, monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity and consider changing passwords for sensitive accounts (banking, email, social media) from a secure device.
How to Report 0401 293 738
Report this number and its phishing SMS activity through the following Australian resources:
- Report to Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - File a detailed report with the SMS content, time received, and any links mentioned
- Report to ACMA: acma.gov.au - The Australian Communications and Media Authority handles complaints about spam SMS and can investigate mobile network abuse
- Report to ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - If you clicked the link and suspect data compromise or malware infection
- Report to your mobile provider: Contact Optus directly to report the SMS and request the number be flagged for investigation
- Contribute to Reverseau: Add your own experience with 0401 293 738 to help warn other Australians in your community
Help others by sharing your experience with 0401 293 738!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Mum got the same message, not sure what it was
Got text saying mum my phone fell in water using this number now, asked who it was and got no response
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would someone impersonate my family member via SMS from 0401 293 738?
Scammers use impersonation to bypass your natural scepticism toward strangers. By pretending to be a trusted family member in distress, they aim to trigger immediate action (clicking links, sending money, sharing passwords) without verification. The number 0401293738 appears designed to look like a personal mobile rather than a business, making it seem more believable. Once you click a link or share information, they can steal credentials, install malware, or conduct further fraud.
What happens if I click a link in an SMS from 0401293738?
Clicking links in SMS phishing messages from 0401293738 risks installing malware, redirecting you to fake banking or payment sites designed to steal your login credentials, or triggering automatic downloads of spyware. If you have clicked a link from 0401 293 738, monitor your accounts closely for unauthorised activity, change passwords for email and banking from a trusted device, and consider running antivirus software. Report the incident to cyber.gov.au.
Should I call the number back to confirm it's really my family member?
No. Do not call 0401 293 738 or any number provided in a suspicious SMS. Instead, use a phone number you already have stored in your contacts for the family member (not one obtained from the message). Call them directly to verify their situation. If you cannot reach them that way, contact another family member to confirm. Calling 0401293738 back may confirm your number is active, encouraging more scam attempts.
Why did the sender from 0401 293 738 stop responding when I asked who they were?
Scammers using 0401293738 likely operate semi-automated phishing campaigns that send bulk SMS messages and rely on fast, emotional responses. When challenged or when a recipient asks questions that require real-time deception, the scammer may abandon the attempt and move to the next target. This is why asking "Who is this?" without clicking links is a good safety strategy - it weeds out impersonation attempts that can't sustain conversation.
My family member and I both received similar SMS from 0401293738. Does this mean our data was breached?
Possibly. When multiple family members receive coordinated or identical impersonation SMS from 0401 293 738, it suggests the scammer has multiple contact numbers associated with your household, indicating they obtained data from a breach, data leak, or public sources. Report this pattern to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) and to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). Consider changing passwords for accounts where you use similar security questions or recovery phone numbers.
How do I report 0401 293 738 to Optus, my mobile provider?
Contact Optus customer service and report the SMS from 0401293738 as a phishing scam. Provide the exact message content, the date and time received, and any links mentioned. You can also block the number through your phone's settings or via the Optus app. Optus may investigate if the number is actively being used for fraud. Simultaneously, file reports with Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au) so Australian authorities can track patterns of abuse on the Optus network.