- Scam
- Suspicious
2 SMS reports for 0401 810 794 (0401810794): Scammers posing as your child claiming number changed, requesting you save new contact.
Child Impersonation SMS Scam Reports for 0401 810 794
Two contributors have reported SMS messages from 0401 810 794 (also written as 0401810794) impersonating their child with a classic "my number changed" social engineering scam. The caller claims to be a son or daughter who has lost access to their previous phone number and urgently needs the parent to save the new contact details.
This Optus mobile number is being used to establish false familiarity and trust before escalating to requests for money, gift cards, or personal information. The initial message to the recipient mimics authentic communication patterns a child might use, including casual greetings and explanations that seem plausible at first glance.
What the SMS from 0401 810 794 Says
Contributors report receiving messages like: "Good Morning Dad, I can't be reached on my old number save this one and let me know when you get this." Another variant reported: "SMS claiming my kid's number had changed, told me to ring them."
The scammer's approach is straightforward - establish that 0401810794 is the "new" number, get you to acknowledge receipt and save it, then pivot to a fabricated emergency requiring immediate financial help. Contributors note the language is deliberately casual and informal to mimic genuine family communication, avoiding obvious spelling errors or awkward phrasing that might trigger immediate suspicion.
Why This Scam Works
The child impersonation tactic exploits the emotional response parents have to perceived emergencies involving their children. By framing the initial contact as a simple administrative task (saving a new number), the scammer builds false credibility before making larger requests. The use of 0401 810 794, an Optus mobile number, adds apparent legitimacy since the recipient may assume it's a legitimate new mobile account.
Parents are often rushing through messages and may not immediately verify the number by contacting their child through known channels. By the time follow-up requests arrive (typically for money to cover an urgent expense, legal bill, or other crisis), the recipient has already mentally accepted the caller's identity.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0401 810 794
If you receive an SMS claiming to be from your child on a new number:
- Do not: Reply to the message, save the number, or ring the number provided
- Do not: Transfer money, purchase gift cards, or share personal details like your banking information
- Do: Contact your child directly using a number you already have saved to verify their actual status
- Do: Hang up immediately if the caller becomes aggressive or emotional when you ask verification questions
- Do: Block 0401810794 after you've confirmed the message is fraudulent
- Do: Tell family members, especially elderly relatives, about this scam pattern so they can verify child emergencies directly
Report Patterns for 0401 810 794
Both reports for 0401 810 794 arrived via SMS within a 24-hour window in September 2026. The scammer appears to be using a bulk SMS campaign targeting multiple households with the same message template. The timing and near-identical approach across both reports suggest an automated or semi-automated operation.
Contributors received the messages at different times, indicating the scammer is targeting multiple recipients sequentially rather than conducting random outreach. The Optus provider allocation for this number suggests the account may be relatively new or recently activated for this campaign.
How to Report 0401 810 794
Report this number and scam attempt through official Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report SMS scams at acma.gov.au - include the message content and timestamp
- Scamwatch: Document the scam at scamwatch.gov.au to help protect other Australians from the same tactics
- Your mobile provider (Optus): Forward the SMS to your provider's fraud team to report the account being used for scamming
- Australian Cyber Security Centre: Report to cyber.gov.au if you lost money or had personal data compromised
- Reverseau: Submit your report here to help contributors identify this number and protect your community
Help others by sharing your experience with 0401 810 794!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Supose text from my one of my kids..
. Read text below....
...
Good Morning Dad, I can't be reached on my old number save this one and let me know when you get this.
Text pretending to be one of my kids, wanted me to save the new number
SMS claiming my kid's number had changed, told me to ring them
Help others by sharing your experience with 0401 810 794!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
I received an SMS from 0401 810 794 claiming to be my child with a new number - is this a real emergency?
No. Two contributors have reported identical scam messages from 0401810794. Always verify by contacting your child directly using a phone number you already have saved. Real emergencies should come through known channels first. A scammer won't object to you taking 30 seconds to confirm their identity - legitimate children will understand and provide verification details.
Should I ring the number 0401 810 794 back if the SMS asks me to?
No. Do not call 0401810794. Ringing the number confirms to the scammer that your number is active and increases the likelihood you'll receive follow-up messages or calls. If you genuinely need to contact your child about a supposed emergency, use the phone number you already have saved for them instead.
What should I do if I already saved 0401 810 794 as my child's new number?
Delete 0401810794 from your contacts immediately. Verify your child's actual current number through a trusted method (a parent you know, another sibling, or their social media where they may have posted contact details). Block 0401 810 794 to prevent further messages. If you transferred money to this number, contact your bank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au immediately.
Why are scammers using an Optus mobile number like 0401 810 794?
Optus mobile numbers (starting with 04) look like legitimate Australian mobile accounts and add credibility to the scam. Scammers purchase or activate accounts specifically for campaigns because parents are more likely to trust a standard mobile number than an obvious landline. The provider being Optus rather than another carrier doesn't indicate legitimacy - it's simply what this scammer chose for this campaign.
If my child's number genuinely changed, how should they contact me?
Real children will contact parents through multiple channels - they might call a parent's office, email, message on social media, or ask another family member to relay the message. A legitimate child emergency won't require you to save a new number and wait for clarification. They'll provide context about why the number changed (new phone, new plan, etc.) and can answer security questions you ask to verify identity.
How do I report 0401 810 794 to authorities?
Report this Optus number 0401810794 to ACMA at acma.gov.au with the exact SMS message and timestamp. Also report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Forward the message to Optus's fraud team so they can investigate the account. If money was lost, report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au. Share your report on Reverseau to warn other families about this number.