0480 046 558 - 0480046558: Government Impersonation SMS Scam

4-min Read4 Reports

  • Scam
  • Spam
  • Suspicious

0480 046 558 (0480046558) reports fake SES survey SMS impersonating Australian Government and Social Research Centre, requesting payment via dodgy links.

Government Impersonation SMS Scam Reports for 0480 046 558

Four contributors have flagged SMS messages from 0480 046 558 (also written as 0480046558) as scam activity disguised as official government correspondence. The primary report details a message impersonating the Social Research Centre on behalf of the Australian Government, requesting completion of the SES (Socio-Economic Status) survey by the end of the day with an offer to win $1,000.

The scam message from 0480046558 includes a suspicious link and directs recipients to call 1800055818 for more information. The message specifically addresses recipients by their first name to create a false sense of legitimacy. Contributors noted the link provided in messages from 0480 046 558 was clearly fraudulent and designed to harvest personal information or payment details.

What Callers and Messages from 0480 046 558 Claim

The SMS from 0480 046 558 impersonates the Social Research Centre working on behalf of the Australian Government. The message claims recipients have been selected to participate in Australia's largest tertiary education study and offers a $1,000 prize as an incentive to complete the survey urgently.

Messages from 0480046558 use time pressure tactics, stating the survey must be completed "by tonight" to qualify for the prize draw. The personalized greeting with the recipient's real first name is designed to bypass initial scepticism. The scam SMS from 0480 046 558 provides a link to what contributors describe as a "dodgy" website where victims would be directed to enter personal and financial information.

Report Patterns and Timing

All four reports about 0480 046 558 were submitted on 10 August 2026, with the earliest timestamp at 00:26 and the latest at 09:06, indicating a coordinated SMS campaign across multiple recipients on the same day. Multiple contributors received messages from 0480046558 simultaneously, with one noting "heaps of others got the same day apparently."

Three of the four reports specifically identify the 0480 046 558 message as SMS-based communication, with one contributor also reporting a missed call. The concentrated timeframe and consistent messaging across contributors confirm this was a mass campaign impersonating Australian Government services rather than isolated scam attempts.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0480 046 558

If 0480 046 558 sends you a message:

  • Do not: Click any links in the message, call the number provided, or reply with personal information
  • Do not: Download any attachments or visit websites referenced in the SMS from 0480046558
  • Do: Delete the message immediately
  • Do: Block 0480 046 558 on your phone to prevent further contact
  • Do: Report the SMS to your mobile provider as spam
  • Do: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's reporting service) to alert authorities
  • Do: Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the message and link

Verify Before Engaging with Government Surveys

Legitimate Australian Government research studies will never request payment, ask for financial details via SMS, or pressure you to respond within a short timeframe. If you receive what appears to be an official government survey from 0480046558 or similar numbers:

  • Contact the purported organisation directly using contact details from their official website, not numbers provided in the message
  • Genuine government agencies will not send unsolicited SMS demanding immediate action
  • The Social Research Centre and Australian Government do not conduct surveys via suspicious links or request payment through SMS
  • Never use contact information from suspicious messages - look up official phone numbers independently

How to Report 0480 046 558

  • ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Forward the scam SMS from 0480 046 558 to 0429 999 888 to report the number and content
  • Scamwatch: Report the full details at scamwatch.gov.au, including the fake link and impersonation tactic
  • Your mobile provider: Mark the message as spam/scam in your phone settings or contact your provider's fraud team to report 0480046558
  • Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 0480 046 558 to help other Australians identify this scam

Help others by sharing your experience with 0480 046 558!

WRITE A REVIEW

Ratings Distribution

2.0 out of 5
5 Stars 0%
4 Stars 0%
3 Stars 25%
2 Stars 50%
1 Star 25%

What Our Users Reviewed

L
Lung

Scam.

Hi <real first name>, a note from the Social Research Centre on behalf of the Australian Government to complete the SES by tonight for a chance to win $1,000. Take part in Australia's largest tertiary education study. Go to <https: //srcentre. Au / dodgey link> For more info call 1800055818 Reply STOP to optout.

A
Anonymous

Just a dodgy text, same as heaps of others got the same day apparently

A
Anonymous

Got it too, junk, don't bother

A
Anonymous

Text about a uni research study with a secure link, checking what others reckon


Help others by sharing your experience with 0480 046 558!

WRITE A REVIEW

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 0480 046 558 actually from the Social Research Centre or Australian Government?

No. The message from 0480 046 558 (0480046558) is a scam impersonating these organisations. Legitimate Australian Government agencies do not conduct surveys via SMS with suspicious links or demand payment. If you received an SMS from 0480 046 558 claiming to be from the government, it is fraudulent.

Should I click the link in the SMS from 0480046558?

Absolutely not. Contributors who examined the link in messages from 0480 046 558 described it as clearly dodgy and designed to steal personal information. Do not click any links from 0480046558, and do not visit the website referenced in the message.

Why did the message from 0480 046 558 use my first name?

Scammers use personalised details like your first name to appear legitimate and increase the chances you'll engage with the message. The SMS from 0480046558 obtained your name from a data breach or public source and used it to make the fake government survey seem official.

What should I do if I already clicked the link or entered information into the website from 0480 046 558?

Contact your bank immediately if you entered financial details via the link from 0480 046 558 (0480046558). Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, change your passwords, and consider placing a fraud alert with your bank. Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and ACMA by forwarding the SMS to 0429 999 888.

Why did I receive a call and SMS from 0480046558 on the same day?

One contributor reported both a missed call and an SMS from 0480 046 558 on 10 August 2026, suggesting the scammer may use multiple contact methods in a single campaign. The coordinated nature of reports from 0480046558 indicates a mass scam operation targeting multiple Australians simultaneously.

Is the 1800 number in the SMS from 0480 046 558 safe to call?

No. The phone number 1800055818 provided in the SMS from 0480 046 558 (0480046558) is part of the scam. Calling it will connect you to the scammer who may demand payment or request personal information. Never call numbers referenced in suspicious messages from 0480046558.