- Scam
- Uncertain
Community reports for 1800 434 181 (1800434181): Contributors report fake ANZ Bank calls and SMS with phishing links attempting credential theft.
ANZ Bank Impersonation Reports for 1800 434 181
Two contributors have reported scam activity from 1800 434 181 (also written as 1800434181) impersonating ANZ Bank. Reports indicate coordinated contact attempts via both call and SMS, with callers falsely claiming to represent ANZ and directing recipients toward fraudulent links and credential harvesting.
The impersonation is deliberate and direct - one contributor received a call where the person explicitly claimed to be from ANZ Bank, while another reported receiving SMS messages designed to appear legitimate. This dual-channel approach is characteristic of coordinated phishing campaigns targeting banking customers.
What Callers and Messages from 1800 434 181 Contain
One contributor described receiving a call from 1800 434 181 where the caller stated they were from ANZ Bank - a straightforward impersonation with no additional context provided in the report. The simplicity of the claim suggests the caller was testing responsiveness or attempting to establish initial trust before requesting sensitive information.
A separate report documents SMS messages from this number pretending to be ANZ, accompanied by phishing links. These messages are designed to appear authentic enough to prompt action - typically requesting urgent login verification, account confirmation, or claiming suspicious activity detected on the account. Recipients who click links are directed to fake login pages where username, password, and sometimes additional security details are captured.
Report Patterns and Contact Methods
Both reports about 1800 434 181 describe scam activity, but through different channels. One contributor answered a call and recognised it as fraudulent, while the other received unsolicited SMS with embedded malicious links. The use of a freephone number (1800) makes impersonation of legitimate services easier, as customers may assume toll-free numbers are more likely to be genuine business lines.
The reports span from February to March 2026, suggesting sustained activity rather than a one-off incident. Contributors should be aware that this number may be actively cycling through contact attempts.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 1800 434 181
If 1800 434 181 calls you:
- Do not: Confirm personal details, provide passwords, access codes, or card information; engage with caller requests for verification or account updates; return the call
- Do: Hang up immediately; contact ANZ directly using the phone number on your bank card or official ANZ website to verify any claimed issues; block the number on your device
- Remember: Legitimate banks never ask for passwords or full card details over the phone. If the call mentions account compromise or urgent action needed, hang up and contact your bank directly using verified contact details.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 1800 434 181
If 1800 434 181 sends you an SMS:
- Do not: Click any links in the message; reply to the message; download attachments; enter login details or personal information on any page the link directs you to
- Do: Delete the message immediately; forward it to 0429 999 888 (Australian Telstra's spam reporting number); report it to your bank directly using official contact details; take a screenshot if you wish to document the scam
- Remember: Banks and legitimate services do not send unsolicited SMS asking you to verify accounts or click links. If you receive such a message, it is almost certainly a phishing attempt.
How to Report 1800 434 181
If you have experienced contact from 1800 434 181 impersonating ANZ or any other entity:
- Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) - the Australian government's official scam reporting service. Include details about what the caller claimed and any links or messages involved.
- Report to ACMA (acma.gov.au) - the Australian Communications and Media Authority can investigate telecommunications-based scams and may take action against the service provider.
- Report directly to ANZ Bank via their official fraud line (details on your bank card or statement) so they can flag the impersonation and monitor for account compromise attempts.
- Report to ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) if the SMS contained phishing links or malware attachments - this helps the Australian Cyber Security Centre track active threats.
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this number.
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 434 181!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Scam email and text pretending to be ANZ
Claimed to be ANZ Bank, total scam
When I called this number it seemed to be the ANZ bank. First time a male answered and second time a lady. It had the same recorded voice that ANZ does. I don't know if its a scam or not.
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 434 181!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would scammers use a freephone number like 1800 434 181 to impersonate a bank?
Freephone numbers like 1800 434 181 are accessible and cost-effective for scammers while appearing more legitimate to targets. Customers often assume toll-free numbers belong to established businesses. Scammers may also bulk-purchase or redirect freephone numbers allocated to legitimate services, making the impersonation more convincing at first glance.
I clicked a link from an SMS that looked like it was from ANZ - what should I do now?
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or official ANZ website. Do not use any contact details from the suspicious SMS. Inform them you may have entered login credentials on a fraudulent page. They can monitor your account, reset passwords, and check for unauthorised access. Change your ANZ password from a secure device, and consider enabling two-factor authentication if not already active.
How can I tell if a call claiming to be from ANZ is actually from 1800 434 181?
Scammers often spoof their caller ID, so the number displayed may not be 1800 434 181 or any legitimate ANZ number. Never trust the caller ID alone. If someone calls claiming to be from ANZ, hang up and call ANZ directly using the number on your card. ANZ will never call unsolicited asking for passwords, PINs, or card details - this is how you know it's fraudulent.
What information do ANZ phishing messages typically request?
Based on the reports about 1800 434 181, phishing SMS messages impersonating ANZ often claim urgent action is needed - such as account verification, suspicious activity alerts, or security updates. Links lead to fake login pages requesting username and password. Some variants may ask for card details, expiry date, CVV, date of birth, or tax file number. Real ANZ will never request these via SMS or unsolicited call.
Should I block 1800 434 181 after the first suspicious call?
Yes. If you receive a call or SMS from 1800 434 181 claiming to be from ANZ, block the number immediately on your device. However, be aware that scammers can spoof different numbers, so blocking this one number alone is not sufficient protection. Always verify any bank contact independently before providing information.
Can I recover money if I sent details or payments to someone impersonating ANZ via 1800 434 181?
Contact ANZ and your bank's fraud team immediately - many banks can freeze accounts and trace transfers if reported quickly. Contact the police via their non-emergency line or online to file a report. Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au). Recovery depends on how quickly the money was transferred and whether your bank can intercept it, but reporting immediately maximises your chances.