- Scam
One contributor reports an SMS from 0402 780 062 (0402780062) impersonating a family member asking to use their phone, a known phishing tactic.
Family Impersonation SMS from 0402 780 062
A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 0402 780 062 (also written as 0402780062) claiming to be a family member. The message stated that the sender's phone wasn't working and asked to use a mate's phone instead. This is a recognised impersonation tactic designed to establish false urgency and familiarity before requesting sensitive information or financial details.
The report indicates this was a phishing attempt using social engineering. By pretending to be someone the recipient knows, the scammer aims to lower the target's guard and increase the likelihood of sharing personal information or clicking malicious links.
What the SMS from 0402 780 062 Contained
According to the contributor's report, the SMS from 0402780062 mimicked a casual family or friend scenario. The message suggested the sender's phone was not working and asked permission to use someone else's device. This framing is intentionally vague and creates a sense of normalcy before the next message would likely request assistance, account access, or personal details.
The contributor correctly identified this as a phishing scam rather than a genuine family contact. This type of SMS from 0402 780 062 is often the opening of a multi-step fraud attempt.
How Impersonation Scams Work
Family or friend impersonation via SMS exploits trust relationships. Once contact is established through 0402 780 062, follow-up messages typically request:
- Urgent money transfers due to an emergency
- Gift card codes or prepaid card details
- Access to online banking or email accounts
- Verification of personal information like date of birth or tax file number
The Optus mobile number 0402780062 was used in this case to appear as a personal mobile contact, increasing credibility compared to obvious business numbers.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0402 780 062
If you receive an SMS from 0402 780 062 claiming to be a family member or friend:
- Do not: Reply to the message, click any links, or follow any instructions
- Do not: Share personal information, passwords, or financial details
- Do: Verify the message by contacting your family member directly using a phone number you already have stored
- Do: Block the number 0402 780 062 on your phone after reporting it
- Do: Delete the SMS immediately after reporting
Even if the message seems harmless, do not engage. Scammers gather information across multiple interactions to build a convincing fraud scenario.
How to Report 0402 780 062
Report this impersonation scam using these resources:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Report SMS scams and phone fraud
- Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Submit details about the impersonation attempt
- ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - Report phishing and cyber-enabled scams
- Your provider Optus: Forward the SMS to Optus fraud team for their records
- Reverseau: Report your experience with 0402780062 to help other Australians identify this scam
Forward unwanted SMS to 0429 999 888 to report to your telco, then delete the message.
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What Our Users Reviewed
Text saying dad using mate's phone as mine not working, just phishing scam
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 0402 780 062 a real family member trying to contact me?
Unlikely. The contributor who reported 0402 780 062 confirmed this was a phishing scam, not a genuine family contact. If someone needs to reach you via an unfamiliar number, they would typically follow up with a recognisable phone call or message from their known contact. Always verify by calling the person directly on their usual number rather than responding to the SMS from 0402780062.
What should I do if I already replied to the SMS from 0402 780 062?
If you've replied to a message from 0402 780 062, do not provide further information. Block the number immediately and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If you shared personal details like banking information or passwords, contact your bank and change your passwords. Report the number 0402780062 to ACMA and Scamwatch. Watch for additional follow-up messages attempting to escalate the scam.
Why would a scammer use a mobile number like 0402 780 062 instead of a landline?
Mobile numbers appear more personal and trustworthy than obvious business numbers. The use of 0402 780 062 from Optus makes the SMS seem like it's coming from an individual rather than an organisation, which increases the chance the recipient will engage. Scammers deliberately choose mobile numbers to exploit this psychological trust factor.
Can I trace who sent the SMS from 0402 780 062?
The contributor who reported 0402 780 062 identified it as a phishing scam, meaning the actual sender may be spoofing or using a compromised account. Your mobile provider Optus can investigate, but they are limited in what they can reveal due to privacy laws. Reporting to ACMA (acma.gov.au) adds to the national database and supports law enforcement efforts against 0402780062.
How common are family impersonation scams sent via SMS?
Family and friend impersonation is one of the most prevalent SMS scam tactics. This report of 0402 780 062 is an example of a scam that exploits emotional connections. Contributors frequently report similar attempts from different numbers. Awareness and verification before responding is your best defence against 0402780062 and similar impersonation attempts.
What if the person claiming to be my family member provides specific details about my family?
Scammers may gather personal information from social media, public records, or data breaches before contacting you from 0402 780 062. Specific details do not confirm legitimacy. Always verify by contacting the person directly on their known number. If someone claiming to be a family member texts from 0402780062 with detailed personal knowledge but unusual requests, this is a red flag for impersonation fraud.