- Suspicious
Community report for 04 7801 1663 (0478011663): Contributor received SMS impersonating family member claiming new SIM activation.
Impersonation SMS Reports for 04 7801 1663
One contributor has reported receiving a suspicious SMS from 04 7801 1663 (also written as 0478011663) that impersonated a family member. The message claimed a new SIM had been activated, but the recipient knew none of their children had sent such a message. This type of impersonation tactic is commonly used to manipulate targets into revealing sensitive information or confirming personal details.
The report about 0478011663 indicates the caller or sender had enough information to pose credibly as a family member, or at minimum hoped the vague reference to a SIM activation would prompt a response. This is a red flag for identity compromise or data harvesting scams.
What the SMS from 04 7801 1663 Claimed
The message received from 04 7801 1663 stated that a new SIM had been activated. Since the recipient knew their children had not initiated this, the SMS was clearly fraudulent. The scammer likely hoped the recipient would reply, call back, or provide information to "verify" the SIM activation - a common entry point for credential theft or account compromise.
Impersonation scams targeting family members often succeed because they exploit trust and urgency. A message appearing to come from a child or family member requesting urgent action bypasses normal skepticism.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 04 7801 1663
If 0478011663 or a similar number sends you an unexpected SMS about SIM activation or family matters:
- Do not: Reply to the message, call the number, or click any links
- Do not: Confirm personal information, bank details, or login credentials
- Do: Contact the supposed sender directly using a known phone number or contact method to verify the message is legitimate
- Do: Block the number 04 7801 1663 immediately in your phone settings
- Do: Report the SMS as spam to your mobile provider (Optus in this case) and Australian authorities
- Do: Delete the message without engaging further
How to Report 04 7801 1663
If you receive scam SMS from 04 7801 1663 or 0478011663, report it to the following Australian authorities:
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report unwanted calls and SMS at acma.gov.au
- Scamwatch: Report the scam and share details at scamwatch.gov.au
- Your Mobile Provider: Contact Optus directly to report the fraudulent SMS and request blocking
- ReportCyber: For cyber-related fraud, report at cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your report here to help other Australians identify this number
Community reports about numbers like 04 7801 1663 help Reverseau build a database of scam activity and alert other users to potential threats.
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Message saying they got a new SIM but none of their kids sent it
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already replied to the SMS from 04 7801 1663?
If you responded to the message from 0478011663, take immediate action: change your passwords for email, banking, and other sensitive accounts; monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised activity; consider placing a fraud alert with your bank; block 04 7801 1663 immediately. If you shared personal information like banking details or identity documents, contact your bank and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) via cybercrime.gov.au.
Why would a scammer impersonate a family member to claim a new SIM was activated?
Impersonation scams like the one reported from 04 7801 1663 work by creating urgency and exploiting trust. If you believe a child or family member initiated the SIM, you might contact them, confirm account details, or provide verification information the scammer can use to access your accounts. The message from 0478011663 likely hoped you'd react emotionally rather than verify through known contact methods first.
Is 04 7801 1663 actually an Optus number?
The number 0478011663 is registered as an Optus mobile number, but scammers routinely spoof legitimate provider numbers or use real numbers on compromised accounts. The fact that 04 7801 1663 appears to be Optus makes the impersonation more convincing, but does not mean Optus itself sent the message. Always verify unexpected messages by contacting the supposed sender independently.
What is a SIM swap scam and how does it connect to the message from 0478011663?
A SIM swap scam occurs when criminals gain control of your phone number by contacting your mobile provider and requesting a new SIM. The fraudulent SMS from 04 7801 1663 might be a precursor to a SIM swap attempt, designed to test if you'd engage with a fake activation message or reveal sensitive details. Verify any SIM-related communications directly with Optus using their official contact number before taking action.
How can I block 04 7801 1663 on my phone?
On most Australian phones, open your messages or phone app, find the message or call from 0478011663, and select 'Block' or 'Block Number'. You can also go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and manually add 04 7801 1663. After blocking, the sender cannot reach you via call or SMS. Additionally, report the number to your provider (Optus) so they can take action on their network.
Should I be concerned if I received this SMS about a SIM activation I didn't request?
Yes. An unsolicited SMS from 04 7801 1663 (or any number) claiming SIM activation is a strong warning sign of fraudulent activity. Combined with impersonation of a family member, this indicates someone may be attempting to compromise your phone or accounts. Block the number immediately, do not engage, and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If you suspect account compromise, contact your bank and provider directly using official contact numbers.