- Suspicious
SMS scam reports for 0495 003 716 (0495003716): Callers impersonate family members claiming urgent phone damage, luring recipients to call back from overseas numbers.
Family Emergency Impersonation Reports for 0495 003 716
Two contributors have reported receiving suspicious SMS messages linking to 0495 003 716 (also written as 0495003716). The messages originated from Philippine phone numbers (prefixed +63) but claimed to be from the recipient's father, stating "I broke my phone please call me urgently." This is a classic family emergency scam designed to create panic and bypass rational decision-making.
The tactic is straightforward: the scammer sends an SMS from a spoofed or compromised overseas number, references 0495 003 716 as a callback contact, and relies on the emotional response to family distress. Both contributors who received messages about 0495003716 recognised the scam immediately and did not engage, highlighting how community awareness helps prevent losses.
How This Scam Uses 0495 003 716
Rather than calling directly, the scammer embeds 0495 003 716 in the initial SMS as the "new number" the family member can supposedly be reached on. This two-step approach serves multiple purposes: it creates a sense of urgency ("my phone is broken"), establishes a fake identity, and directs the target to call a number controlled by the scammer. Once a call connects, the scammer can demand money for phone repairs, overseas medical bills, or other fabricated emergencies.
Both reports about 0495 003 716 mention the same message template, suggesting this is part of an organised campaign rather than isolated incidents. The use of Philippine-origin SMS adds a layer of obfuscation, making it harder for targets to verify the caller's identity.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS Mentioning 0495 003 716
If you get a message mentioning 0495 003 716 claiming a family emergency:
- Do not: Call the number mentioned in the message, respond to the SMS, or assume the message is legitimate
- Do: Verify the claim by contacting your family member directly using a known phone number (not one provided in the suspicious message)
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Block the sender and the number 0495 003 716 on your phone
Why This Scam Works
Family emergency scams exploit emotional vulnerability and time pressure. Receiving an urgent message claiming a loved one is in distress bypasses the critical thinking most people apply to normal scam attempts. The fact that the message came from an overseas number (Philippines) may actually add credibility in the scammer's mind-they assume the target will think their relative is travelling or in a crisis abroad.
The use of a separate callback number (0495 003 716) rather than direct contact is deliberate. It creates psychological distance, gives the scammer a controlled contact point, and allows them to research victims or coordinate multiple calls.
How to Report 0495 003 716
If you receive SMS or calls from 0495 003 716 or similar family emergency scams:
- Report the number to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au
- Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (SPAM) to report it to your mobile provider
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- If the message mentions overseas contact details, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify similar scams
Protecting Yourself from Family Emergency Scams
The most reliable defence against scams involving 0495 003 716 or similar numbers is direct verification. If you receive an urgent message about a family member in crisis, hang up (or don't call back) and immediately contact that person using a phone number you already have on file. Real emergencies can wait the 30 seconds needed to verify the caller's identity. Scammers cannot afford this delay-they rely on panic to succeed.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0495 003 716!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
0495003716.
This number came up in a message, that came from another phone number prefixed +63 (Phillipines), claiming: “…Dad I broke my phone please call me urgently”.
It’s obviously a scam.
I deleted the message straight away without calling the number given.
0495003716.
This number came up in a message, that came from another phone number prefixed +63 (Phillipines), claiming: “…Dad I broke my phone please call me urgently”.
It’s obviously a scam.
I deleted the message straight away without calling the number given.
Help others by sharing your experience with 0495 003 716!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already called 0495 003 716 after seeing the family emergency message?
Hang up immediately if you're still connected. Do not provide personal information, banking details, or agree to transfer money. Contact your bank and let them know about the attempted scam. Block 0495 003 716 on your phone and report the number to the ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au). Verify with your actual family member using a known contact number that they are safe.
Why did the scam message about 0495 003 716 come from a Philippine number?
Scammers often use overseas numbers (in this case +63 Philippine numbers) to add distance and complexity to their operations. This makes it harder for authorities to trace them and may create the false impression that the family member is travelling overseas. The separation between the originating SMS number and the callback number 0495 003 716 is intentional-it confuses victims and makes the scam appear more plausible.
Is 0495 003 716 the scammer's actual phone number?
Very likely not. In family emergency scams, both the originating number and the callback number (0495 003 716) are typically spoofed, hacked, or registered to unsuspecting third parties. The number 0495 003 716 may belong to an innocent person whose account has been compromised, or it may be a number the scammer registered using false information.
What if the message from 0495 003 716 mentions a specific amount of money?
This is a strong indicator of scam activity. Real family members in genuine emergencies don't typically specify amounts in initial SMS messages. Scammers using 0495 003 716 or similar numbers will often escalate quickly from the initial 'broken phone' claim to demands for money for repairs, hospital bills, or bail. Do not engage-verify directly with your family member instead.
Can I block 0495 003 716 on my phone to stop receiving messages?
Yes. Most Australian phones allow you to block specific numbers. After blocking 0495 003 716, any calls or SMS from that number will be automatically rejected. However, scammers often use multiple numbers, so blocking 0495 003 716 alone may not prevent similar scam attempts from other numbers. Also report 0495 003 716 to your mobile provider by forwarding the SMS to 0429 999 888.
How do I verify that a family emergency message is real before calling 0495 003 716?
Do not call 0495 003 716 or any number provided in the suspicious message. Instead, use your phone's contacts to call the family member directly at a number you already know is theirs. If they don't answer, try other family members or their workplace. A quick direct call takes seconds and is the only reliable way to verify a genuine emergency. Scammers cannot handle this delay.