0489 988 024 - 0489988024: Bank Impersonation Scam

• Scam
• Uncertain
• Legit
• Spam

0489 988 024 (0489988024): 12 scam reports of fake bank fraud alerts via SMS and calls, requesting card details and personal information with urgency tactics.

Bank Impersonation Scam Reports for 0489 988 024

Twelve contributors have reported scam activity from 0489 988 024 (also written as 0489988024), primarily involving SMS messages and calls impersonating major Australian banks' fraud departments. The scammers target victims by referencing real card details like the last four digits, creating false urgency around fraudulent transactions that never occurred. This tactic exploits the natural panic people feel when receiving unexpected fraud alerts, making them more likely to engage or share sensitive information.

What makes 0489988024 particularly deceptive is the inclusion of legitimate-looking card information sourced from data breaches, combined with requests to reply "Yes" or "No" to confirm suspicious activity, or to call fake bank phone numbers. Three contributors noted the scammers already knew their full card numbers and account details, suggesting these numbers may be linked to broader data compromise incidents.

What Callers and Messages from 0489 988 024 Claim

The primary tactic involves fake fraud alerts claiming to originate from major Australian banks including Peoples First Bank, UBank, and generic "bank fraud departments." Messages from 0489988024 typically state that a fraudulent transaction has been detected or that the recipient's card has been frozen due to suspicious activity.

Contributors describe receiving SMS messages containing:

• Last four digits of their actual credit or debit card
• Claims of unauthorised transactions or attempted purchases
• Requests to reply "Yes" or "No" to confirm activity
• Links to fake bank websites or prompts to call fraudulent phone numbers branded as legitimate bank hotlines
• References to specific payment types (USD purchases, PayPal transactions, overseas attempts)

One contributor received a call from 0489988024 where the caller claimed to represent their bank's fraud department, quoted their card details, and said the card was frozen. When they independently verified the phone number, their actual bank confirmed it wasn't a legitimate bank number, though one contributor reported confusion after initially receiving what appeared to be a legitimate fraud alert followed by a call from this number that seemed plausible.

Report Patterns and Timing

The majority of reports about 0489 988 024 come through SMS, with several contributors also reporting answered calls. Scam reports span from January 2024 through October 2026, showing consistent activity over nearly three years. The mix of SMS phishing links and direct calls suggests a coordinated operation testing multiple contact methods.

Notably, three contributors reported legitimate fraud alerts from their actual banks during similar timeframes, which initially created confusion. However, the key differentiator is that legitimate bank fraud alerts from contributors' real banks included full names, specific merchant details, and official contact numbers verified on the banks' websites. By contrast, messages from 0489988024 only include partial card information and direct recipients to unverified phone numbers or suspicious links.

One contributor who answered a call from this number experienced an immediate hang-up after receiving a prior text alert, a pattern consistent with automated callback scam testing. Another noted receiving a promotional scam alert about PayPal alongside the bank impersonation attempts, suggesting this number may be used across multiple fraud campaigns.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 0489 988 024

If 0489 988 024 calls you with a fraud alert:

• Do not: Confirm your card details, reply to requests for "Yes" or "No" answers, or provide any personal information
• Do not: Call the phone number provided in the message, as it will connect you to scammers, not your bank
• Do not: Click any links in SMS messages or follow instructions to visit websites
• Do: Hang up immediately and block the number
• Do: Contact your bank directly using the phone number on the back of your card or from your bank's official website
• Do: Ask your bank to verify whether they sent the alert - legitimate banks can confirm this instantly

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0489 988 024

If you receive an SMS from 0489 988 024 claiming to be from your bank:

• Do not: Reply "Yes" or "No" to any message from this number
• Do not: Click links or download files from messages
• Do not: Call numbers provided in the SMS
• Do: Delete the message and block 0489988024 immediately
• Do: Report the SMS as spam by forwarding it to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting number)
• Do: Contact your actual bank using their official customer service number to verify if any fraud alert was sent
• Do: Check your account online via your bank's official app or website for any real alerts

How to Report 0489 988 024

Report this number and your experience through the following official Australian resources:

• Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - Report the scam with details of the message or call
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - Report SMS phishing and impersonation
• Your bank: Contact your actual bank's fraud line using the number on your card to report the impersonation
• ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - Report phishing links or malicious content
• Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 0489988024 to help other Australians identify this scam

When reporting, include the exact message content, time of contact, and any details the scammer mentioned (even partial card information, as this helps identify the data source).

Frequently Asked Questions