- Suspicious
SMS reports for 0423 228 659 (0423228659): Contributors report impersonation texts claiming to be from known contacts with suspicious email addresses. Do not click links.
Impersonation and Phishing Reports for 0423 228 659
Two contributors have reported SMS messages from 0423 228 659 (also written as 0423228659) impersonating people they know. The pattern involves text messages claiming to be from the recipient's contacts, but containing suspicious email addresses or links that do not match genuine communication from those people. This is a classic phishing and impersonation tactic designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or responding with personal information.
Both reports about 0423228659 describe the same core problem: the caller ID or message header appeared to be from someone the recipient knows, but the content and contact details were clearly fraudulent. One contributor noted receiving a text with a familiar name but accompanied by an unfamiliar email address, while another report simply flagged that the message did not come from the actual contact despite claiming to be from them.
What Callers from 0423 228 659 Say
Reports indicate that messages from 0423 228 659 impersonate known contacts by using their names in the text. The scam then includes email addresses or links that do not belong to the actual person being impersonated. One contributor described receiving a text with the name of someone they know, paired with an email contact that was clearly not authentic. This tactic exploits trust in existing relationships to increase the likelihood that the recipient will click the link or engage with the fraudulent content.
The texts from 0423228659 appear designed to look casual and legitimate at first glance, using familiar names to lower a recipient's guard before directing them to click a link or provide information via email. This type of impersonation attack often leads to credential theft, malware installation, or financial fraud if the recipient clicks the link or provides personal details.
Report Patterns and Timing
Both reports describing 0423 228 659 came in within 24 hours of each other in mid-January 2026, suggesting this number may be actively running phishing campaigns. The reports were submitted via SMS channels, which is consistent with the attack vector being text-based impersonation. The mobile allocation to an Optus service also aligns with the SIM card potentially being stolen, compromised, or registered under false information to enable the phishing campaign.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0423 228 659
If 0423228659 sends you a message:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or provide personal information
- Do not: Download any attachments or visit email addresses mentioned in the text
- Do: Block the number immediately in your phone settings
- Do: Contact the person the number is impersonating directly via their known phone number or email to confirm they did not send the message
- Do: Delete the SMS after blocking the number
If the message includes a link you have already clicked, immediately change your passwords for email, banking, and other important accounts. Monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity.
How to Report 0423 228 659
Report phishing and impersonation SMS to Australian authorities:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Forward the SMS and phone details to acma.gov.au - they manage telecom complaints and fraud
- Scamwatch: Lodge a detailed report at scamwatch.gov.au describing the impersonation and phishing attempt
- ReportCyber: If you clicked the link or suspect data compromise, report to cyber.gov.au
- Your mobile provider: Contact Optus directly to report the number 0423 228 659 (0423228659) and request they investigate the compromised SIM or account
- Reverseau: Add your own report to help other Australians identify this number and stay safe
Help others by sharing your experience with 0423 228 659!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Received text with an email address contact inside with name of person I know. It was not sent by the PPL I know. Do not answer anything Block this number and report.
Got a text with my mate's name but wasn't from them
Help others by sharing your experience with 0423 228 659!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why am I receiving SMS from 0423 228 659 pretending to be my friend?
This is an impersonation and phishing scam. The number 0423228659 is being used to send texts that falsely claim to be from people you know, complete with fake email addresses or links. Scammers do this to exploit your trust in known contacts, hoping you will click a malicious link or respond with personal information without verification. The message is not actually from your friend despite what it claims.
What happens if I click a link in an SMS from 0423 228 659?
Clicking a link from 0423228659 could compromise your phone or personal accounts. Phishing links typically lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials, or download malware that steals data. If you have already clicked a link from 0423 228 659, immediately change your passwords for email, banking, and other sensitive accounts, and monitor them for unauthorised activity.
How can I verify if a message claiming to be from my contact actually came from them?
Do not rely on the sender's name or number in the text from 0423228659. Instead, contact the person directly using a phone number or email address you already have on file. Call them or text them from a different conversation thread. If they did not send the message from 0423 228 659, it is definitely a scam. This is the safest way to verify whether a message is genuine before clicking any links.
Should I reply to the SMS from 0423 228 659 to tell them to stop?
No. Do not reply to messages from 0423228659. Replying confirms your number is active and monitored, which can increase the frequency of phishing attempts. Instead, block the number immediately in your phone's settings and report it to ACMA or Scamwatch. Engaging with the scammer in any way only provides them feedback that your number is a viable target.
Is 0423 228 659 a real Optus number?
The number 0423228659 is allocated as a mobile on the Optus network, but that does not mean it is legitimate. Scammers often use stolen, compromised, or fraudulently registered SIM cards to send phishing SMS. The legitimate allocation does not guarantee the current user is authorised or genuine. Report 0423 228 659 to Optus directly so they can investigate and potentially suspend the account.
What should I do if I already provided information to a message from 0423 228 659?
If you replied to or engaged with 0423228659 and shared personal details, credentials, or financial information, act immediately. Change your passwords for all important accounts (email, banking, social media). Contact your bank to report potential fraud and monitor your accounts for unauthorised transactions. Report the incident to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) so authorities can track the phishing campaign affecting 0423 228 659.