- Scam
- Suspicious
0426 173 120 (0426173120): 4 reports of suspicious Chinese-language calls and SMS, including impersonation and phishing attempts from Vodafone mobile.
Chinese Language Scam Reports for 0426 173 120
Four contributors have reported suspicious activity from 0426 173 120 (also written as 0426173120), a Vodafone mobile number. The reports span both calls and SMS messages, predominantly in Chinese, with evidence of impersonation and phishing tactics. The consistent use of Chinese-language communication suggests a coordinated campaign targeting Australian residents.
Three of the four reports about 0426173120 involve SMS messages, with one contributor noting an especially suspicious text claiming to be from someone named "Annie" with a garage door issue - a common pretext for phishing attempts. One contributor received a call from 0426 173 120 with a scam pitch delivered entirely in Chinese.
What Callers and Messages from 0426 173 120 Contain
The impersonation attempt came through a phone call where the caller presented a scam pitch in Chinese without clarifying their identity or purpose. Contributors receiving SMS from 0426173120 reported messages that appeared to seek engagement under false pretences - one message claimed to be from "Annie" regarding a non-functional garage door, which is a known social engineering opening used to build false rapport before requesting money or personal information.
Multiple contributors noted that the text messages from 0426 173 120 contained content in Chinese, making it difficult for English-speaking Australians to understand the full intent. One contributor described the overall tone as "dodgy," indicating the message structure or context raised immediate red flags despite language barriers.
Report Patterns and Timing
The activity from 0426 173 120 shows a concentrated timeline across January and February 2026. The earliest report arrived on 23 January, followed by another suspicious SMS on 1 February, then a phishing text on 2 February, and most recently a scam call on 7 February. This clustering suggests ongoing activity from the number rather than isolated incidents.
All four reports about 0426173120 came from different contributors, indicating the number is being used to contact multiple recipients. The mix of channels - both SMS and voice calls - suggests the campaign is attempting multiple vectors to reach targets.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0426 173 120
If 0426 173 120 calls you:
- Do not: Engage with the caller, provide personal information, bank details, or identity verification. Do not assume the caller is legitimate based on their language or apparent familiarity with garage doors or other personal details.
- Do: Let the call go to voicemail. If you answer by mistake, hang up immediately. Block the number in your phone's contact list.
- Do: If the call is in a language you don't speak, this is a significant red flag - legitimate organisations will contact you in English through official channels.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0426 173 120
If you receive a text message from 0426173120:
- Do not: Click any links in the message. Do not reply to the SMS. Do not provide any information, even if the message appears to be from a known contact like "Annie."
- Do: Delete the message immediately. Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (the ACMA spam reporting line) and include the sender's number 0426 173 120.
- Do: Block the number 0426173120 in your phone settings to prevent future messages.
How to Report 0426 173 120
If you receive calls or SMS from 0426 173 120, report it through these Australian channels:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report SMS scams by forwarding the message to 0429 999 888, or lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au
- Scamwatch: Report the scam details at scamwatch.gov.au, including the phone number 0426 173 120, date, and what was said or written
- Vodafone: Contact your provider directly to report the activity from this mobile number
- Reverseau: Add your own report about 0426173120 to help other Australians identify this number's behaviour
Help others by sharing your experience with 0426 173 120!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Caller hit me with a scam pitch in Chinese
Text in Chinese starting with Hi I'm Annie my garage door doesn't open, sounds dodgy
Text in Chinese, no clue what it said
Text in Chinese from this number
Help others by sharing your experience with 0426 173 120!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why am I receiving calls and SMS in Chinese from 0426 173 120?
Multiple contributors have reported 0426 173 120 (0426173120) sending Chinese-language communications, suggesting the number is part of a campaign targeting Australian residents. The use of a foreign language may be deliberate - to confuse recipients or target specific communities. This is a major red flag and the number should be blocked immediately.
What does the 'Annie garage door' message from 0426173120 mean?
The SMS from 0426 173 120 claiming to be from "Annie" about a garage door that won't open is a known phishing pretext. Scammers use seemingly innocent personal scenarios to establish false rapport before requesting money or sensitive information. Never respond to such messages from unknown numbers.
Is 0426 173 120 a legitimate Vodafone number?
While 0426173120 is registered to Vodafone Australia, the reports indicate it is being used for scam activity. Legitimate Vodafone communications will come from official Vodafone channels and will be in English. If you're unsure about a call from 0426 173 120, hang up and contact Vodafone directly using their official customer service number.
What should I do if I clicked a link in an SMS from 0426173120?
If you clicked a link from an SMS originating from 0426 173 120, take these steps: change your passwords immediately, monitor your bank and credit accounts for unauthorised activity, contact your bank to alert them, and consider freezing your credit with Equifax or other credit bureaus. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
How do I report the number 0426 173 120 to authorities?
Report 0426 173 120 to ACMA by forwarding any SMS to 0429 999 888, or file a detailed complaint at acma.gov.au including the phone number, date, and content. Also report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. These reports help authorities track coordinated scam campaigns using 0426173120.
Why are there multiple reports from 0426 173 120 in such a short timeframe?
Four separate contributors reported activity from 0426173120 between 23 January and 7 February 2026, indicating active ongoing use of the number for scamming. This pattern suggests the number is being used in a targeted campaign. If you've been contacted, block it and report it - your report helps Reverseau and authorities track this activity.