- Scam
One contributor reported an SMS from 04 2354 1325 (0423541325) impersonating their child with a broken phone, requesting credit card details.
Child Impersonation SMS Scam Reports for 04 2354 1325
A contributor has reported receiving a deceptive SMS from 04 2354 1325 (also written as 0423541325) that impersonated their child. The message claimed the child's phone was broken and urgently needed financial assistance, then pivoted to requesting credit card details. This is a well-documented scam tactic that exploits parental concern and creates artificial time pressure.
The SMS came from what appeared to be a mobile number on the Optus network. What makes this scam particularly concerning is how it bypasses initial skepticism by personalising the request as coming from a family member rather than an unknown business or institution.
What the SMS from 04 2354 1325 Contained
According to the report, the message impersonated a child claiming their phone was broken. The scammer then escalated to requesting credit card information, likely intending to fraudulently charge or drain the account. This two-step approach - first establishing a false family relationship, then requesting sensitive financial data - is designed to bypass normal caution.
The contributor received this SMS on 21 December 2025. The scammer's approach relied entirely on social engineering rather than any legitimate service or business reason to request payment details.
Why This Scam Works and How to Recognise It
Child impersonation scams targeting 04 2354 1325 recipients are effective because they trigger immediate parental concern. Parents naturally want to help their children in perceived emergencies and are more likely to act quickly without verification. The request for credit card details - rather than a bank transfer or wire - suggests the scammer intended to use the card information for unauthorised transactions.
Red flags from this specific SMS include:
- An unknown mobile number claiming to be your child
- Claims about a broken or damaged phone (convenient explanation for why contact seems unusual)
- Requests for payment or financial information sent via SMS
- Pressure to respond quickly or urgency language
- Asking for credit card details rather than directing to legitimate payment methods
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 2354 1325
If you receive an SMS from 04 2354 1325 or similar impersonation attempts:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, call back the number, or provide any personal or financial information
- Do not: Share credit card, bank account, or identity details in response to unsolicited SMS messages
- Do: Contact your child directly using a phone number or contact method you already have to verify their status
- Do: Block the number 0423541325 immediately in your phone settings
- Do: Report the SMS as spam and scam using your phone's native reporting feature
- Do: Delete the message without responding
How to Report 04 2354 1325
If you receive scam SMS from 04 2354 1325 or similar numbers:
- Report to ACMA: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 or report at acma.gov.au
- Report to Scamwatch: Document details and report at scamwatch.gov.au, especially if you lost money
- Report to your mobile provider: Contact Optus directly to report the number and request blocking
- Contribute to Reverseau: Report your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number
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Text pretending to be from my kid saying phone's broken, then asked for credit card details
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 04 2354 1325 pretending to be my child really a scam?
Yes. If you receive an SMS from 04 2354 1325 (0423541325) claiming to be your child and requesting money or payment details, it is a scam. Genuine contact from your child would come through their known phone number or established contact method. Always verify by calling your child directly using their known number before responding to any urgent financial requests via SMS.
What should I do if I already shared credit card details with this number?
Contact your bank immediately and report the fraud. Tell them you provided card details to a scammer via SMS from 04 2354 1325. Request they cancel the card, review recent transactions, and issue a replacement. Also report the scam to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and forward the SMS to ACMA at 0429 999 888. Monitor your account for unauthorised charges.
Why did the message from 0423541325 claim my child's phone was broken?
Scammers use the broken phone excuse to explain why the SMS comes from an unfamiliar number rather than your child's usual phone. It's a social engineering tactic designed to lower your suspicion and create urgency. It also prevents you from trying to verify by calling your child's real phone number immediately, since the scammer claims it's unavailable.
How can I protect myself from child impersonation SMS scams like the one from 04 2354 1325?
Always verify urgent requests from family by contacting them directly using a phone number you already have. Never provide credit card or banking details via SMS, regardless of who claims to be messaging you. Enable SMS spam filters on your phone. Block any number sending suspicious messages, and report them to your provider and ACMA (acma.gov.au). Educate family members about this scam so they know to verify your identity if they receive similar messages.
Should I reply to the SMS from 04 2354 1325 to confirm it's a scam?
No. Do not reply to the SMS from 0423541325 in any way. Replying confirms your number is active and monitored, which may encourage further scam attempts. Simply block the number, delete the message, and report it to ACMA (0429 999 888) and your mobile provider. Any interaction with the scammer gives them information they can use.
What makes SMS scams from numbers like 04 2354 1325 harder to spot?
Child impersonation scams targeting recipients of SMS from 0423541325 are harder to spot because they exploit emotion and urgency rather than impersonating a large institution. Parents are naturally protective and willing to act quickly. The request for credit card details (rather than a wire transfer) makes it seem more plausible that an upset child might ask this way. However, no legitimate child or family member would request credit card details via SMS.