- Scam
SMS impersonation scam using 0420 636 412 (0420636412). Caller pretends to be family member claiming lost phone, requesting text replies to fake number.
Impersonation SMS Scam from 0420 636 412
One contributor reported receiving an SMS from 0420 636 412 (also written as 0420636412) using a classic family impersonation technique. The message claimed to be from a family member who had lost their phone and was requesting contact via the attacker's temporary number. The contributor quickly recognised the attempt as fraudulent and did not engage further.
This type of SMS scam targeting 0420636412 relies on creating urgency and emotional connection. By impersonating a family member in distress, scammers hope recipients will respond immediately without verifying the claim through other channels.
What the SMS from 0420 636 412 Said
The reported message from 0420 636 412 followed the common "lost phone" formula: "hey mum I dropped my phone this is my temp number text me". The phrasing is deliberately casual and designed to bypass scrutiny by mimicking how a worried family member might actually message in an emergency.
Contributors who recognise this pattern note that legitimate family members will have established contact methods beyond a single SMS from an unknown number. If you receive a similar message from 0420636412 or similar numbers, the request to text back to an unfamiliar number is a red flag.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0420 636 412
If 0420 636 412 sends you a message claiming to be a family member:
- Do not: Reply to the message, click any links, or provide any information
- Do not: Send money or gift cards, even if the follow-up message requests them
- Do: Contact your family member directly using a phone number or contact method you already know is theirs
- Do: Report the SMS to your mobile provider (Vodafone in this case) as spam
- Do: Block the number 0420636412 on your device
- Do: Forward the SMS to the ACMA's Spam and Scam Report service at 0429 999 888
How to Report 0420 636 412
If you receive scam SMS from 0420 636 412 or 0420636412, report it through these channels:
- ACMA Spam Report: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 with details of when you received it
- Your Mobile Provider: Report to Vodafone directly through your account settings or customer service
- Scamwatch: Log the incident at scamwatch.gov.au to contribute to national scam tracking
- ReportCyber: Report cybercrime incidents at cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau Community: Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
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What Our Users Reviewed
sMS saying hey mum I dropped my phone this is my temp number text me, tried to pull a fast one but obvious rubbish
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already replied to the SMS from 0420 636 412?
Do not send any money or personal information. Block 0420636412 immediately and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Contact your bank if you've shared financial details. Report the number to ACMA at 0429 999 888 and Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. If the scammer continues contacting you, keep records of all messages and consider reporting to local police.
Why would a scammer use 0420 636 412 to impersonate a family member?
The contributor who reported 0420636412 noted the scammer was trying to create urgency and emotional pressure. Impersonating a family member in distress bypasses logical thinking by triggering a protective response. Once you reply to the number, scammers typically follow up with requests for money via gift cards or bank transfers. This is why verifying through a known contact method is crucial.
Is 0420 636 412 a legitimate Vodafone number?
While 0420636412 is allocated to Vodafone Australia, this doesn't mean calls or SMS from 0420 636 412 are legitimate. Scammers often use mobile numbers (which are easier to obtain than fixed lines) or spoof legitimate-looking numbers. Always verify contact from family or organisations independently rather than trusting the number display.
How can I verify if a message claiming to be from family is real?
Call or message your family member using a contact number you already have saved. Do not use any number provided in the suspicious SMS from 0420 636 412 or 0420636412. Ask them questions only they would know the answer to. Legitimate family members will understand the security check and won't be offended by verification.
Should I block 0420636412 after receiving the scam SMS?
Yes, blocking 0420 636 412 is the quickest way to prevent further contact. Use your phone's native blocking feature or contact Vodafone to block the number at the network level. Reporting to ACMA at 0429 999 888 also helps prevent the number from being used against other Australians.
What happens if I report 0420 636 412 to multiple agencies?
Reporting 0420636412 to both your mobile provider and ACMA is recommended. Each organisation tracks different aspects of scam activity. ACMA's database (0429 999 888) feeds into national scam monitoring, while Vodafone uses reports to investigate and take action against the account holder. Multiple reports strengthen the evidence against this number.