- Suspicious
- Scam
- Unknown
0424 039 938 (0424039938): 3 reports including impersonation scam posing as friend, Chinese-language SMS, and suspicious activity on Vodafone mobile.
Impersonation and Suspicious Activity Reports for 0424 039 938
Three contributors have flagged 0424 039 938 (also written as 0424039938) for concerning activity on a Vodafone mobile number. The most serious report involves an impersonation scam where a caller pretended to be a friend and attempted to extract personal details. Additional reports describe unsettling SMS messages in Chinese, including one mentioning an electrician, adding to the suspicious pattern.
The mix of impersonation attempts and foreign-language messages suggests this Vodafone number may be operating as part of a broader scam network rather than a single bad actor.
What Callers from 0424 039 938 Claim
One contributor received a call from 0424039938 where the caller used impersonation tactics, posing as someone the recipient knew personally. The caller's goal was to manipulate the recipient into sharing personal details. This friend-impersonation approach is a common social engineering method that exploits trust to lower a victim's guard.
Separately, contributors received SMS messages from 0424 039 938 written entirely in Chinese. One message referenced an electrician, though the full context remained unclear to English-speaking recipients. A second contributor described these SMS messages as unsettling, suggesting the sender may have been testing whether the number was active or attempting to gather information about the recipient.
Report Patterns and Timing
Reports span from mid-January through late January 2026, indicating sustained activity from 0424039938 rather than isolated incidents. Two reports came via SMS and one via answered call, showing the caller uses multiple communication channels. One contributor received the call after answering, allowing direct conversation before realising the impersonation attempt.
The use of Chinese-language messages in two of three reports suggests either a spoofed Vodafone number operated by offshore scammers, or a compromised account being used for social engineering tests.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0424 039 938
If 0424 039 938 calls you:
- Do not: Accept the caller's claim of being someone you know without independent verification, share personal details, or confirm your full name or account information
- Do: Hang up immediately if the caller asks for personal information, independently verify the caller's identity by phoning the person they claim to be (use a number you already have), and block the number after a suspicious call
- Be aware: Scammers using impersonation tactics count on people answering and engaging - silence is your best defence
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0424 039 938
If you receive a text message from 0424039938:
- Do not: Click any links in the message, reply to confirm your number is active, or attempt to translate and engage with the content
- Do: Delete the message immediately, block the number in your phone settings, and report it as spam using your phone's built-in reporting feature
- Report the SMS: Forward suspicious text messages to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting number) by copying the message content and including the sender number 0424 039 938
How to Report 0424 039 938
If you've been contacted by 0424 039 938 or 0424039938, report the activity through these Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the number at acma.gov.au - this is the official regulator for phone spam and scams in Australia
- Scamwatch: Lodge a detailed report at scamwatch.gov.au, including what the caller claimed, any personal information you provided, and the date/time of contact
- Vodafone (service provider): Contact Vodafone directly to report a compromised or spoofed number - they may be able to investigate or suspend the account
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 0424 039 938 to help other Australians recognise this number and its tactics
Help others by sharing your experience with 0424 039 938!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Message in Chinese asking about an electrician
Dodgy bloke pretending to be mate, trying to get details
Strange SMS from numbers in Chinese, can't understand, unsettling
Help others by sharing your experience with 0424 039 938!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if someone claiming to be my friend calls from 0424 039 938?
Do not share any personal details or financial information. Hang up and independently verify by calling your friend using their known phone number - never use a number the caller provides. Scammers using impersonation rely on social pressure and urgency, so taking time to verify is your strongest defence. After confirming it wasn't your friend, block 0424 039 938 and report it to ACMA at acma.gov.au.
Why am I receiving Chinese-language SMS messages from 0424039938?
The two contributors who received Chinese SMS from 0424039938 reported they don't speak Chinese and found the messages unsettling. This pattern suggests either a spoofed Vodafone number or a compromised account being used to send probe messages to test active phone numbers. These SMS may be part of a larger social engineering operation. Do not respond, reply, or engage with these messages - simply delete and block 0424 039 938.
Is 0424 039 938 a legitimate Vodafone number?
0424 039 938 is registered as a Vodafone mobile number in Australia, but the reports suggest it is either spoofed or the account has been compromised by scammers. Legitimate Vodafone numbers can be hijacked or cloned by criminals. Never assume a call or SMS is genuine based on the area code or carrier alone. Always verify independently, especially if someone claims to be a friend or family member contacting from 0424039938.
What is an impersonation scam and why use 0424 039 938?
Impersonation scams involve a caller falsely claiming to be someone you know or trust (friend, family, bank, government agency). One contributor reported a caller from 0424 039 938 pretending to be a mate to lower their guard before requesting personal details. Scammers choose mobile numbers like 0424039938 because they appear less official than landlines, making the false claim of being a friend more believable. Do not engage with unexpected callers claiming to know you.
Should I report 0424 039 938 to Vodafone or ACMA?
Report to both. ACMA (acma.gov.au) is the official communications regulator and handles scam reports publicly, contributing to national awareness. Vodafone should also be notified directly as they may take action against a compromised or spoofed account on their network. Additionally, report the impersonation attempt to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and SMS spam to 0429 999 888 with the number 0424 039 938 included.
How can I block 0424 039 938 on my phone?
On most Australian mobile phones, open the call log or message thread from 0424039938, tap the number, and select 'Block' or 'Add to Blocked Contacts.' On iPhone, swipe left on the contact and tap 'Block this Caller.' On Android, tap the three dots and select 'Block number.' After blocking 0424 039 938, future calls and SMS from this number will go directly to blocked messages. You can also report spam directly through your phone's built-in spam reporting feature while blocking.