0495 012 491 - 0495012491: Child Impersonation SMS Scam

• Scam

One contributor reported an SMS scam from 0495 012 491 (0495012491) impersonating a child asking for help. Classic callback-lure tactic targeting parents.

Child Impersonation SMS Scam for 0495 012 491

A contributor received an SMS from 0495 012 491 (also written as 0495012491) posing as their child who had supposedly lost their phone. The message was addressed personally to "Dad" and claimed the situation was "kind of urgent" - a deliberate attempt to trigger an emotional response and bypass normal caution.

This is a well-documented scam variant targeting parents and grandparents. The goal is to get you to reply or call back, which can lead to follow-up requests for money, personal information, or wire transfers. The use of the personal greeting "Dad" suggests the scammer either conducted basic research or is using a mass message that will occasionally match family dynamics by chance.

How This Scam Works

The callback-lure tactic used in the 0495 012 491 SMS operates in stages. First, the emotional hook captures attention. Second, urgency language ("kind of urgent") pressures quick response without thinking. Third, when you reply or call, scammers either:

• Request money for phone replacement, emergency travel, or bail
• Ask for personal details "to verify your identity"
• Transfer you to an accomplice posing as a bank or authority figure
• Use your callback as confirmation that the number is active, then escalate contact attempts

Red Flags in the 0495 012 491 Message

The contributor who reported this SMS from 0495 012 491 identified several warning signs that revealed it as a scam:

• Unusual greeting: A child who lost their phone would likely text from a friend's phone, not as a stranger saying "hi Dad"
• Artificial urgency: "Kind of urgent" is vague but designed to bypass logic
• No specific context: No mention of which phone was lost, where they are, or how they got this number
• SMS instead of phone call: A child in real distress would likely call

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 0495 012 491

If 0495 012 491 or a similar number texts you claiming to be your child or family member:

• Do not: Reply to the message, call the number back, or click any links
• Do not: Share your name, address, banking details, or any personal information
• Do not: Send money or gift cards
• Do: Contact your family member directly using a phone number you know is theirs (call them, check your contacts)
• Do: Ask questions only they would know the answer to
• Do: Block the number 0495 012 491 immediately on your phone
• Do: Report the SMS as spam through your phone's native reporting tools
• Do: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (Australia's official spam SMS reporting number)

How to Report 0495 012 491

If you receive this scam SMS from 0495 012 491 (0495012491), report it through multiple channels to help protect other Australians:

• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): File a report at acma.gov.au describing the SMS content, time received, and sender number
• Scamwatch: Report the incident at scamwatch.gov.au with screenshots of the SMS from 0495 012 491
• ReportCyber: If money was sent or personal details shared, report at cyber.gov.au
• Your telco: Contact your phone provider's abuse team and provide the number 0495 012 491
• Reverseau: Contribute your report here to help warn your community about 0495 012 491

Protecting Family Members from This Scam

Child impersonation SMS scams targeting 0495 012 491 callers often affect older parents and grandparents who may respond emotionally before thinking critically. Consider:

• Setting up a family code word that real family members would use in genuine emergencies
• Teaching parents and grandparents to verify by calling a known family number before responding to urgent requests
• Reminding family that banks and services will never ask for passwords or PINs via SMS
• Sharing this report about 0495 012 491 with older family members who may be targeted

Frequently Asked Questions