- Scam
Community report for 04 0180 3462 (0401803462): Caller impersonated family member to request cash payment. Mobile number flagged for elder fraud.
Impersonation Scam Reports for 04 0180 3462
One contributor has reported a serious impersonation scam from 04 0180 3462 (also written as 0401803462). The caller posed as a family member to manipulate the recipient into sending cash, a tactic commonly used to exploit older Australians and family relationships.
This Optus mobile number was used in a targeted social engineering attack where the caller impersonated a close relative. The contributor's father was deceived into believing he was helping a family member in urgent need, resulting in a successful cash transfer before the fraud was discovered.
How the Scam Unfolded
The caller from 04 0180 3462 rang the contributor's father, claiming to be his daughter. By leveraging the emotional connection and authority of a family relationship, the scammer bypassed typical fraud defences. The victim handed over cash to the caller before realising the deception, indicating the impersonation was convincing enough to overcome initial suspicion.
This type of fraud targeting 0401803462 is particularly dangerous because it exploits trust. Family members are among the last people we verify before providing assistance, making impersonation scams highly effective against vulnerable adults.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 04 0180 3462
If 0401803462 calls you or your family members:
- Do not: Send money, provide personal details, or follow caller instructions without independent verification
- Do: Hang up immediately and contact the supposed relative directly using a known phone number
- Do: Tell elderly family members never to send cash or gift cards based on phone requests, regardless of caller identity
- Do: Block the number and report it to your mobile provider
The key defence against impersonation scams is verification. If someone claiming to be a family member calls asking for money, always end the call and ring them back on a number you know is correct. Legitimate family emergencies can wait the few minutes needed to verify the caller's identity.
How to Report 04 0180 3462
Report this scam number through the following Australian government channels:
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the scam details and the 04 0180 3462 number
- ACMA: acma.gov.au - Report the mobile number for potential investigation and action against the provider
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - Report the fraud if it involved online elements
- Your mobile provider: Contact Optus directly to report the fraudulent use of 0401803462 and request the account be investigated
If you've lost money to this number, also consider reporting it to your bank and local police. Community reports on Reverseau help warn other Australians about scam numbers like 04 0180 3462.
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Rang my dad pretending to be his daughter and got him to hand over cash
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What is an impersonation scam and how does 04 0180 3462 relate to it?
An impersonation scam occurs when a caller pretends to be someone they're not - usually a family member, government official, or trusted organisation - to deceive victims into sending money or sharing personal information. The report for 04 0180 3462 (0401803462) describes a caller who impersonated a family member (the victim's daughter) to convince the recipient to hand over cash. This type of fraud is highly effective because it exploits trust and emotional urgency.
Why is my elderly relative at higher risk from calls like the one from 0401803462?
Older Australians are frequently targeted by impersonation scams because they may be more trusting of phone callers, less familiar with digital fraud tactics, and more likely to prioritise helping family members in apparent distress. The contributor's father fell victim to a call from 04 0180 3462 precisely because the emotional appeal overrode caution. Scammers deliberately target this demographic knowing impersonation is more likely to succeed.
If someone calls claiming to be my daughter, what should I do before sending money?
Always hang up and contact the person directly using a phone number you know is correct - call them back on their mobile or your saved contact. Do not rely on the number the caller provides or any number appearing on your phone display (which can be spoofed). If your daughter or son truly needs urgent help, they can wait the few minutes it takes to verify their identity. This simple step would have prevented the loss in the 04 0180 3462 report.
Can the Optus mobile number 0401803462 be used by legitimate callers or is it purely for scams?
A mobile number like 04 0180 3462 can be used legitimately by any Optus customer. However, this specific number has been reported for impersonation scam activity. The number itself is not inherently fraudulent - it's the account holder's behaviour that makes it dangerous. The account associated with 0401803462 should be reported to Optus for investigation and potential suspension.
What should I do if I've already sent money to 04 0180 3462?
Contact your bank immediately to report the fraud and attempt to reverse the transfer. If you sent cash directly, contact local police to file a report. Report the number 04 0180 3462 (0401803462) to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA at acma.gov.au. If the scammer has your personal details or account information, consider placing a fraud alert with the Australian Information Commissioner's Office and monitoring your credit.
How can I protect my family from impersonation scams using numbers like 0401803462?
Establish a family safety protocol: agree on a code word or verification question that only family members know, discuss never sending money over the phone without personal verification, and teach older relatives that legitimate emergencies can wait a few minutes for a callback to a known number. If a family member seems to be in crisis, insist on arranging help through official channels (police, hospitals, consulates) rather than personal cash transfers. Share awareness of scams like the one from 04 0180 3462 with elderly relatives.