- Suspicious
One contributor reported a call from 04 8554 0796 (0485540796) claiming to be their child. Community reports indicate impersonation scam tactics.
Impersonation Scam Report for 04 8554 0796
A contributor has flagged a call from 04 8554 0796 (also written as 0485540796) for impersonation tactics. The caller claimed to be the recipient's child but exhibited suspicious behaviour that raised immediate concern. This type of scam relies on emotional urgency and family relationships to bypass normal caution.
The contributor's instincts proved valuable in this case - describing the interaction as having "very dodgy vibes" despite the plausible premise. This highlights how impersonation scams exploit the natural assumption that a call from someone claiming to be a family member should be trusted without verification.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 04 8554 0796
If 0485540796 calls claiming to be a family member:
- Do not: Assume the caller is who they claim, send money, provide banking details, or access accounts based on their requests
- Do: Hang up immediately and call your family member back on a number you know is correct
- Do: Ask questions only the real person would know
- Do: Block the number if it calls again
Legitimate family members will not object to you verifying their identity through an independent phone call. Taking 30 seconds to confirm prevents financial and emotional harm.
Why "Grandparent" and Family Impersonation Scams Work
Callers spoofing 04 8554 0796 or similar mobile numbers exploit the emotional element of family relationships. Parents and grandparents are conditioned to respond urgently to their children's needs. Scammers rely on this instinct to bypass the logical questioning you might apply to a stranger's request.
The fact that the contributor received this call on a mobile number (from an Optus Mobile service) makes it harder to distinguish from a genuine incoming call. Mobile numbers don't show company names like business landlines do, so the caller only needs a plausible story.
How to Report 04 8554 0796
If you receive similar calls from this number or believe you've been targeted:
- Report the call to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at acma.gov.au
- Report scam attempts to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Contact your mobile provider (Optus in this case) to report the number for potential suspension
- Block the number in your phone's settings
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify impersonation attempts
Help others by sharing your experience with 0485 540 796!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Claimed to be my kid but very dodgy vibes
Help others by sharing your experience with 0485 540 796!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a call from 04 8554 0796 claims to be my child?
Hang up immediately without engaging. Do not provide any information or send money. Call your child back on a number you know is correct to verify their location and safety. The contributor who reported 0485540796 described suspicious behaviour that made them suspicious - trust your instincts the same way.
How can scammers call from a mobile number like 04 8554 0796?
Scammers use technology called number spoofing to make calls appear to come from different phone numbers, including the 04 8554 0796 number registered to Optus Mobile. This makes impersonation scams harder to detect because the call appears to come from a legitimate mobile device rather than an obvious scam number.
Is 0485540796 definitely a scammer's phone?
One contributor has reported a suspicious call from 0485540796 claiming to be their child with concerning behaviour. This single report suggests impersonation activity, but the number may be spoofed. If you receive a call from 04 8554 0796 claiming family connection, verify independently rather than trusting the caller ID.
What if the person calling from 04 8554 0796 knew personal details about me?
Scammers often research targets online before calling. Information about you may come from social media, data breaches, or public records. This doesn't mean they are who they claim - it's part of their tactic to build credibility. Always hang up and verify through an independent phone call to your actual family member.
Can I block 0485540796 on my phone?
Yes. On most Australian mobile phones, you can block the number 04 8554 0796 through your contacts or call settings. However, be aware that spoofed numbers may change - if the same caller uses different numbers, you may need to block multiple numbers. Report the call to ACMA and your provider alongside blocking.
Should I report this to Optus or ACMA?
Report to both. Contact Optus Mobile (your provider if you're a customer) to report the suspicious call from 04 8554 0796, and file a report with ACMA at acma.gov.au. Also report the impersonation attempt to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Multiple reports help authorities track patterns and take action against scammers.