0401 752 285 - 0401752285: Child Impersonation Scam

• Scam

0401 752 285 (0401752285): One contributor received an SMS impersonating their child claiming phone damage, followed by expected scam call.

Child Impersonation Scam Reports for 0401 752 285

A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 0401 752 285 (also written as 0401752285) impersonating their child. The message claimed the child's phone was unusable and they had changed their number. The contributor verified this was false by contacting their child directly just two minutes before receiving the SMS, indicating a coordinated impersonation scam setup.

This type of scam targets the emotional response of parents or guardians. The impersonation message is designed to create urgency and confusion, setting the stage for a follow-up call where the scammer requests money or personal information. The contributor has indicated they are aware of the pattern and waiting to observe the next contact attempt from 0401752285.

What the SMS from 0401 752 285 Contained

The SMS from this number claimed that the recipient's child could not use their phone and had obtained a new number. This simple message is intentionally vague and relies on the recipient's concern for their child to bypass normal skepticism. The caller likely intended to follow up with a request for money or sensitive information, using the false premise that the "child" needed urgent help.

The contributor's immediate verification by directly contacting their child revealed the deception within minutes. This quick response prevented the scammer from progressing to the financial or data extraction phase of the scam.

Scam Pattern and Timing

The report about 0401 752 285 indicates this is an active scam attempting to exploit family relationships. The SMS channel was used first, likely because it avoids immediate voice conversation while establishing the false premise. The scammer counted on the recipient being too distressed or hurried to verify before responding to a follow-up call.

One contributor noted they received this impersonation SMS and recognised it as a setup for further contact. The timing and coordination suggest the scammer has obtained personal information linking the phone number to a family relationship.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0401 752 285

If you receive an SMS from 0401 752 285 claiming to be from your child or family member:

• Do not: Reply to the message, click any links, or provide any information without verification
• Do: Contact your child or family member directly using a known phone number or method to verify their situation
• Do: Block 0401752285 immediately after confirming the SMS is fraudulent
• Do: Do not engage with any follow-up calls from this number or variations of it

How to Report 0401 752 285

If you receive scam SMS messages from 0401 752 285 or 0401752285, report this activity:

• Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au or call 1300 850 152
• Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting shortcode)
• Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au for additional documentation
• Block the number on your phone to prevent further contact
• Share your experience on Reverseau to help other contributors identify this scam pattern

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