- Scam
SMS phishing scam reported for 04 2352 5890 (0423525890). Caller impersonates Centrelink with fake policy change link. Do not click.
Centrelink Phishing SMS from 04 2352 5890
One contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 04 2352 5890 (also written as 0423525890) impersonating Centrelink. The message claimed there was a policy change and included a suspicious link. This is a phishing attempt designed to steal personal information or compromise devices.
The number is registered as a mobile service with Optus. The use of legitimate government agency names in phishing messages is a common tactic to create false urgency and bypass recipient scepticism.
What the SMS from 04 2352 5890 Contains
The contributor reported that the text message from 0423525890 claimed to notify them of a Centrelink policy change. A link was included in the message. The scammer's goal is to trick recipients into clicking the link, which may lead to a fake login page designed to harvest credentials, or malicious code to compromise the device.
Centrelink (part of Services Australia) does not request personal information or direct users to click links via unsolicited SMS. Legitimate policy notifications come through your myGov account or official mail, never through unexpected text messages from mobile numbers.
Why This Impersonation Works
Centrelink is a trusted Australian government service that handles welfare payments. Scammers exploit this trust by impersonating the agency in SMS messages. Recipients who receive a message about Centrelink may feel compelled to respond quickly, especially if they believe a policy change affects their payments. This urgency is intentional and designed to bypass careful thinking.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 2352 5890
If 0423525890 texts you:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or open attachments
- Do: Delete the SMS immediately and block the number
- Do: If you're a Centrelink recipient, log into your myGov account directly (do not use any link from the SMS) to check your account status
- Do: Report the SMS to your mobile provider and Australian authorities
How to Report 04 2352 5890
Report this phishing scam through these Australian government channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the SMS at acma.gov.au - they investigate telecommunications breaches and phishing
- Scamwatch: Lodge a report at scamwatch.gov.au to help warn other Australians
- ReportCyber: If you clicked the link or believe your device may be compromised, report to cyber.gov.au
- Your mobile provider: Contact Optus directly to report the malicious SMS from this number
- Reverseau: Add your report here to help the community identify this scam number
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What Our Users Reviewed
SMS claiming Centrelink policy change with a link, definite scam
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 04 2352 5890 really from Centrelink?
No. 0423525890 is a mobile number impersonating Centrelink. The real Centrelink (Services Australia) does not send policy change notifications via SMS with links. Any text claiming to be from Centrelink with a link is a phishing scam.
What happens if I click the link in the SMS from 04 2352 5890?
Clicking the link from 0423525890 may take you to a fake login page designed to steal your myGov username and password, or download malware to your phone. Never click links in unsolicited SMS messages, especially those claiming to be from government services.
How did they get my number for this Centrelink SMS from 04 2352 5890?
Phishing scammers often use bulk SMS tools to send messages to thousands of phone numbers. They don't necessarily have your personal information - the message works if even a small percentage of recipients are Centrelink users and click the link. Your number may have been sent to by 0423525890 purely by chance.
Should I reply to 0423525890 to tell them I'm not interested?
No. Do not reply to 04 2352 5890 in any way. Replying confirms your number is active and may lead to more scam messages. Simply delete, block, and report the SMS.
What should I do if I already clicked the link from 04 2352 5890?
If you clicked the link from 0423525890, take these steps: (1) Do not enter any login details if a fake page appears; (2) Close the browser immediately; (3) Change your myGov password if you entered credentials; (4) Monitor your Centrelink account for unauthorised activity; (5) Report the incident to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.
Can I block 04 2352 5890 on my phone?
Yes. Most mobile phones allow you to block numbers. In your phone settings, add 0423525890 to your blocked contacts or spam filter. You can also contact your Optus account to report the number and request filtering. Blocking prevents future SMS from 04 2352 5890 from reaching your phone.