- Scam
One contributor reports an SMS from 04 1603 0267 (0416030267) falsely claiming to be their daughter who lost her phone - classic family emergency impersonation scam.
Family Impersonation SMS Scam Targeting 04 1603 0267
A contributor has reported receiving a text message from 04 1603 0267 (also written as 0416030267) claiming to be their daughter who had lost her phone. This is a classic family emergency impersonation scam, where fraudsters attempt to create urgency and emotional pressure to extract money or personal information. The contributor immediately recognised the scam because they do not have a daughter, but this tactic is highly effective against parents and grandparents who may panic when receiving such messages.
The scammer behind 0416030267 relied on the recipient's natural instinct to help a family member in distress. These impersonation scams often escalate quickly, with follow-up messages requesting money transfers, iTunes vouchers, Google Play cards, or other payment methods that are difficult to reverse.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 1603 0267
If 04 1603 0267 texts you claiming to be a family member:
- Do not: Reply to the message, click any links, or transfer money based on the claim
- Do not: Share personal information, bank details, or payment method information
- Do: Independently verify the claim by contacting your family member directly on a known phone number
- Do: Block the number immediately after recognising it as a scam
- Do: Delete the message without engaging further
- Do: Report the SMS to your mobile provider (this number is registered to Vodafone Australia) and to Australian authorities
Report the Number 0416030267 to Authorities
Report this impersonation scam using the following Australian resources:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report SMS scams at acma.gov.au - ACMA tracks predatory messaging campaigns and can action repeated offenders
- Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the message content and time received
- ReportCyber: If the SMS contained malicious links or attachments, report to cyber.gov.au
- Vodafone Australia: Contact your provider directly to report the fraudulent activity from this mobile number
- Reverseau: Report your experience with 04 1603 0267 to help other Australians identify this scam
Why Family Impersonation Scams Work
Scammers choose family impersonation tactics because they bypass logical thinking - when you believe your child or grandchild is in danger, you act quickly without verification. The fraudster knows that adding false urgency (lost phone, stranded overseas, in an accident) makes victims less likely to pause and check. Recipients of texts from 0416030267 claiming family emergencies should always verify independently before taking action, even if the message feels genuine.
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Text claiming to be my daughter who lost her phone, I don't have a daughter
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already replied to the SMS from 04 1603 0267?
If you have engaged with a message from 04 1603 0267, take these steps: First, block the number immediately and do not respond to further messages. If you shared your phone number, email, or name, monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If you provided bank details or made a payment, contact your bank immediately to report potential fraud. If you clicked a link, change your passwords for email, banking, and social media accounts, and consider running antivirus software. Report the scam to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ACMA (acma.gov.au).
Is 04 1603 0267 a legitimate Vodafone number I should answer?
The number 0416030267 is registered as a Vodafone Australia mobile number, but this does not mean it is safe to answer or engage with. Scammers purchase or hijack legitimate mobile numbers to make their fraud appear credible. The report about 04 1603 0267 shows it is being used for family impersonation scams. Do not assume a number is legitimate based on the provider - always verify the caller's identity independently.
Why did the scammer claim to be my daughter if they didn't know my family situation?
Family impersonation scammers often use generic claims like 'your child lost their phone' because they send the same message to thousands of people. The contributor who reported 04 1603 0267 recognised the scam immediately because they don't have a daughter, but many recipients do. The scammer is playing odds - among thousands of texts from 0416030267, some will reach actual parents or grandparents who will panic and pay. It's a numbers game that works often enough to be profitable.
How can I protect my family from receiving scams from numbers like 04 1603 0267?
Educate family members about family impersonation scams so they recognise the tactic. Establish a code word or callback procedure - if someone claiming to be a family member asks for money, you have permission to call them back on their known number before sending anything. Enable SMS filtering on your phone if your provider offers it (Vodafone and other providers have spam-blocking features). Report numbers like 0416030267 to ACMA and Scamwatch so the scam can be tracked and action taken against repeat offenders.
What's the best way to report 0416030267 to prevent others from being scammed?
Report 04 1603 0267 through multiple channels to maximise the chance of action: First, tell Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) with the exact message content, time, and date received. Second, report to ACMA (acma.gov.au) - they track patterns across SMS scams and can take enforcement action against networks being misused. Third, report to Vodafone directly as the service provider. Finally, contribute your report to Reverseau so other Australians searching for 0416030267 can see the pattern and protect themselves.
Are there other common scam tactics besides family impersonation that use numbers like 04 1603 0267?
While the reported incident with 04 1603 0267 is a family impersonation scam, mobile numbers in the 04 range are also commonly used for other SMS scams including delivery scams (fake parcel notifications), tech support scams, and prize/lottery scams. If you receive multiple different types of scam messages from the same number like 0416030267, the account may have been compromised or is being used by a criminal operation. Block the number and report it regardless of the scam type.