- Scam
0403 666 897 (0403666897): 5 reports of scammers impersonating children, claiming SIM replacement and requesting contact via this number. Targets parents and grandparents.
Child Impersonation Scam Reports for 0403 666 897
Five contributors have reported the same impersonation scam targeting 0403 666 897. Scammers pose as children (typically claiming to be the recipient's child or grandchild) and use this Optus mobile number as a contact point. The pattern is consistent across all reports: callers claim their SIM card has been replaced and ask the victim to text or call 0403666897 instead of their usual number.
This is a high-risk impersonation scam. Contributors report the scammers already know family relationships, using phrases like "Hey Mum" and "Hey Grandma" to establish false familiarity. One contributor noted the initial contact often comes from a different number (such as 0449 046 418) with a text explaining the SIM replacement, then directs the victim to contact 0403 666 897.
The scam has successfully defrauded at least one family member. A contributor reported that a scammer "pretended to be me and ripped off my mum," indicating this number has been used to extract money or personal information from vulnerable targets.
What Callers from 0403 666 897 Say
Scammers using 0403666897 employ social engineering that targets emotional response. Contributors report receiving messages stating variations of "Hey Mum, good afternoon. Send me a text on 0403 666 897 when you can. I had to replace my SIM and I'm using someone else's to message you." The urgency is subtle but deliberate - the false familiarity (using family terms) combined with a plausible explanation creates trust quickly.
Once contact is established via 0403 666 897, the scammer either requests money for an emergency, asks for personal information, or attempts to manipulate the victim into downloading apps or sharing banking details. One contributor received a voice call from this number where the scammer "pretended to be my kid asking me to ring this number."
Report Patterns and Channel Analysis
Three of the five reports involving 0403666897 came via SMS, one via answered call, and one via "other" channel (likely voicemail or message app). The SMS reports show a coordinated scam pattern where an initial text arrives from a different number (the feeder number), then the victim is directed to contact 0403 666 897. The timing is clustered - all five reports were submitted between 21-23 April 2026, suggesting active scam targeting during this period.
The mobile allocation (Optus) may indicate a stolen or fraudulently activated SIM. The scammer's knowledge of family relationships in multiple cases suggests potential data breach or social media harvesting.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0403 666 897
If 0403 666 897 calls you:
- Do not: Answer if the caller claims to be a family member with an emergency; hang up immediately and verify directly with that family member using a known number
- Do not: Follow instructions to text or call back, send money, or share personal information
- Do not: Assume the caller is legitimate based on knowing your name or family details - scammers harvest this information from social media and data breaches
- Do: Hang up and independently contact your family member using their known phone number to verify
- Do: Block 0403666897 immediately after hanging up
- Do: Report the call to ACMA and local police
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0403 666 897
If 0403666897 texts you:
- Do not: Click any links or download any attachments
- Do not: Reply to the message or acknowledge receipt
- Do not: Call the number back, even to "verify" the caller's identity
- Do not: Share any personal, banking, or family information
- Do: Block the number immediately in your phone settings
- Do: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (Australian spam reporting)
- Do: Report to ACMA at acma.gov.au and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Do: Contact your family member directly (using a known number) to confirm they are safe
How to Report 0403 666 897
Contributing to community safety helps protect other Australians from this scam:
- Scamwatch: Report to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission at scamwatch.gov.au - include all details about the impersonation and any financial loss
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): File a complaint at acma.gov.au to flag the mobile number 0403666897 for investigation
- ReportCyber: If you downloaded any malware or shared credentials, report to cyber.gov.au
- Local Police: If money was lost or personal information compromised, file a report with your state police service
- Reverseau: Submit your report here to add to community intelligence about 0403 666 897
Help others by sharing your experience with 0403 666 897!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Text posed as someone I know asking me to call a different number, which is a known scam
Pretended to be me and ripped off my mum
HIGH SCAM level on this so Im reporting both numbers- originally this was a text that came in on number 0449 046 418 "Hey Mum, good afternoon. Send me a text on 0403 666 897 when you can. I had to replace my SIM and I m (sic) using someone else s(sic)to message you.
Pretended to be my kid asking me to ring this number, don't have any
Pretended to be my kid, using someone else's number, asked me to text them, blocked and reported
Help others by sharing your experience with 0403 666 897!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 0403 666 897 actually someone's real child trying to contact me?
Almost certainly not. Five separate contributors have identified 0403666897 as an impersonation scam. Scammers use social media information to know family relationships and create false urgency. Always verify by hanging up and calling your family member directly on their known number. Legitimate family members will understand if you verify their identity this way.
Why do scammers claim their SIM was replaced when they text from 0403 666 897?
This is a manipulation tactic. By explaining the number change upfront, scammers reduce suspicion. It creates a plausible reason for contact from an unfamiliar number while exploiting parental concern for their child. Contributors report this exact explanation appearing in texts directing them to contact 0403666897.
What should I do if I already replied to a message from 0403666897?
Stop all communication immediately and block 0403 666 897. If you shared personal information (banking details, passwords, ID numbers), contact your bank and credit reporting agencies. If money was sent, contact your bank and police. Report the scam to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au). Do not send any further money even if the scammer claims to need more for verification.
Could this be a spoofed number and 0403 666 897 is actually someone innocent?
Possibly, but five contributors reporting this exact impersonation pattern from 0403666897 suggests the scammer is actively using this Optus number. Report it to ACMA regardless - they can investigate whether the number has been fraudulently activated or if the legitimate owner has had their account compromised.
Why are scammers targeting families with 0403 666 897?
Family impersonation (especially child impersonation) is a high-success scam because it triggers emotional urgency. Parents and grandparents are more likely to act quickly without verification when they believe a child is in trouble. One contributor confirmed the scammer successfully "ripped off my mum," showing this tactic extracts money effectively from older Australians.
Should I report 0403666897 to Optus as well as ACMA?
Yes. Contact Optus directly to report potential fraud on the mobile number 0403666897 (as an Optus customer). Also report to ACMA at acma.gov.au for formal investigation. Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au should be informed of the financial loss if money was sent. All three agencies help track scam patterns.