- Scam
Community report for 04 2303 4612 (0423034612): Scammer impersonates family member claiming phone damage and SIM change to extract money or access accounts.
SIM Swap Impersonation Scam via 04 2303 4612
One contributor reported receiving an SMS from 04 2303 4612 (also written as 0423034612) claiming to be from their son. The message stated his phone had gotten wet and he had changed his SIM card. This is a classic impersonation tactic designed to establish urgency and credibility before requesting money or sensitive information.
The caller's number registers as an Optus mobile (0423034612), adding to the apparent legitimacy. By claiming a legitimate reason for a new SIM, the scammer tries to explain why the "son" is contacting from an unfamiliar number, reducing suspicion.
How SIM Swap Impersonation Works
This type of scam from 04 2303 4612 typically escalates after the initial contact. The impersonator claims urgent need for money (emergency, bills unpaid, caught overseas without funds) or requests the recipient verify their identity or access banking details. Some variants ask recipients to respond with personal information supposedly needed for account recovery.
The wetted phone story is particularly effective because it explains both the new number and any perceived urgency. Contributors who fall for the initial message from 0423034612 may be more likely to help by providing bank details or transferring money before verifying the person's identity through another channel.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 2303 4612
If you receive a message from 04 2303 4612 claiming to be a family member:
- Do not: Reply to the message, provide any personal or financial information, or transfer money
- Do: Call the family member directly using a known phone number to verify their identity and situation
- Do: Hang up and contact them through their usual number or another family member
- Do: Block 0423034612 immediately after confirmation it is a scam
Even if the story sounds plausible, a quick call to verify costs nothing and protects you from significant financial loss or identity theft.
How to Report 04 2303 4612
If you receive this scam SMS from 04 2303 4612 or 0423034612:
- Report it to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au
- Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting shortcode)
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Block the number in your phone settings
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
If you have already responded to a message from 04 2303 4612 or shared banking information, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to Scamwatch and the ACMA.
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Text claiming to be from my son saying his phone got wet and he changed his SIM
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already responded to the SMS from 04 2303 4612?
Contact your bank immediately to notify them of potential fraud. If you provided banking details or PIN information in response to 0423034612, ask your bank to monitor your accounts for unauthorised transactions. Report the incident to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and the ACMA (acma.gov.au) as soon as possible. Block the number 04 2303 4612 and do not engage further.
Why would a scammer claim a phone got wet when texting from 04 2303 4612?
The wet phone story from 0423034612 serves multiple purposes: it explains why someone familiar is contacting from a new number, creates a sense of urgency (person is without their normal phone), and makes the request for help seem more legitimate. By establishing this narrative first, the scammer from 04 2303 4612 hopes to bypass your normal caution about unknown numbers.
How can I verify if a message from 04 2303 4612 is really from a family member?
Always call the person directly using their known phone number from your contacts - do not use any number provided in the SMS from 0423034612. If you cannot reach them, contact another family member to verify their situation. Never reply to 04 2303 4612 or click any links. A legitimate family member will understand why you need to verify their identity before sending money or sharing information.
What personal information should I never share in response to texts from 04 2303 4612?
Never provide your PIN, password, banking details, credit card information, or personal identification numbers in response to any message from 0423034612 or similar unknown numbers claiming to be family. Legitimate banks and family members will never request this information via SMS from 04 2303 4612 or other unknown numbers.
Is 04 2303 4612 actually an Optus number?
The number 0423034612 is registered as an Optus mobile line, which is why it appears legitimate. However, scammers frequently use legitimate mobile networks to send impersonation messages. The fact that 04 2303 4612 is a real Optus number does not mean the person sending the message is who they claim to be. Always verify independently by calling your family member directly.
What should I do if I keep receiving messages from 04 2303 4612 after blocking it?
If 0423034612 continues to contact you after you have blocked it, report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and the ACMA (acma.gov.au). You can also contact your mobile provider (Optus, in this case) to report the number 04 2303 4612 for scam activity. Request that your provider assist in blocking or investigating the abusive number.