144388: Phishing SMS Reports

• Scam

SMS phishing scam from 144388. One contributor received a deceptive message impersonating a chat platform to harvest personal data.

Phishing SMS Reports for 144388

One contributor has reported receiving a phishing SMS from 144388. The message falsely claims that a phone number has left a chat conversation, designed to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link or responding with personal information. The contributor confirmed they had no involvement in any chat, immediately recognising this as a phishing attempt.

This tactic exploits curiosity and urgency - the recipient may feel concerned about an unknown chat and click through to "investigate", not realising they're entering a phishing site that harvests credentials, payment details, or identity information.

What the SMS from 144388 Says

The message reported from 144388 states: "[Phone number] has left this chat." This phrasing mimics legitimate messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal to appear authentic. By referencing a chat the recipient knows nothing about, the scammer hopes to trigger alarm or curiosity strong enough to prompt a click or reply.

The vagueness is intentional - it creates enough confusion that recipients may feel compelled to click a link (often embedded in the full message or in a follow-up) to "check what happened" or "rejoin the chat". The contributor who received the 144388 SMS immediately suspected phishing and did not engage.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 144388

If 144388 sends you an SMS:

• Do not: Click any links in the message, reply to the number, or download attachments
• Do not: Share personal information, passwords, or payment details if you're curious about the "chat"
• Do: Delete the message immediately
• Do: Block 144388 on your phone to prevent further contact
• Do: Report the number as spam via your mobile provider
• Do: Report the SMS to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) if it includes a suspicious link

How to Report 144388

If you receive phishing SMS from 144388, report it through these Australian government channels:

• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report spam and phishing SMS at acma.gov.au. Forward suspicious messages to provide evidence of the scam.
• Scamwatch: Report phishing attempts at scamwatch.gov.au. Include the message content and any links mentioned.
• ReportCyber: If the SMS includes malware links or data theft attempts, report to cyber.gov.au.
• Your mobile provider: Contact your network (Telstra, Vodafone, Optus, etc.) to report the number and request blocking.
• Reverseau: Report your experience with 144388 to help other contributors identify this scam.

Frequently Asked Questions