- Suspicious
- Scam
- Uncertain
11 community reports for 1800 497 106 (1800497106) describe impersonation scams targeting Australian bank customers. Callers falsely claim to be Suncorp, NAB, ING, UBank, Google and Coinbase.
Bank and Financial Services Impersonation via 1800 497 106
Community reports for 1800 497 106 (also written as 1800497106) reveal a sophisticated impersonation operation targeting Australian customers of major banks and financial institutions. Eleven contributors have flagged this number for scam activity, with callers fraudulently claiming to represent Suncorp, NAB, ING, UBank, Google, and cryptocurrency platforms. The common thread across reports is that callers use urgency and callback requests to trick recipients into providing sensitive information or confirming account details.
The scammers operating 1800497106 appear to exploit data breaches or public information to reference customers' actual banking details. One contributor received multiple texts over three days from this number, each claiming different bank affiliations (NAB) and demanding urgent callback. Another contributor reported receiving an SMS impersonating Google, claiming a password change had been blocked and requesting immediate contact.
What Callers from 1800 497 106 Claim
Contributors describe receiving SMS messages from 1800 497 106 with carefully crafted social engineering tactics. A detailed report from one contributor noted that when they called from a private number, the person answering identified themselves as representing Suncorp with an English accent and suggested the message may have been misdirected by affiliation with Big 4 banks - a claim designed to seem plausible and reduce suspicion.
The specific claims attributed to 1800497106 include:
- Suncorp security code updates requiring immediate verification callback
- NAB fraud department alerts claiming address changes in specific locations (one report mentioned Leederville)
- Google password change blocks requiring urgent callback
- ING and UBank payment verification for gambling transactions (Sportsbet amounts of $590-$600)
- Cryptocurrency wallet and Coinbase security alerts
One contributor noted the scammer's behaviour seemed professional enough to deceive someone who wasn't actively vigilant - the caller remained polite when the recipient declined to continue. This suggests the operation trains operators to adapt their approach based on resistance, increasing success rates with less cautious targets.
Report Patterns and Channel Activity
Nine of the 11 reports about 1800 497 106 came through SMS, with two additional reports via email and general enquiries. The SMS-based reports cluster around late October 2025 with two separate contributors receiving Suncorp impersonation texts within hours of each other. Another contributor reported receiving three SMS messages from 1800497106 over three consecutive days, all claiming to be from NAB regarding payment verification.
The earlier reports from March 2025 (spanning 4th to 17th) document the same phone number being referenced in cryptocurrency-related scams, with fake Coinbase and crypto wallet emails directing recipients to call 1800497106 for security issues. This suggests the number has been in use for scam operations for at least 7 months, with no apparent interruption.
One contributor who engaged with the number by calling from a private line described the experience in detail, noting that the operator answered promptly and maintained a credible tone throughout - characteristics that make this number particularly dangerous to vulnerable or elderly customers.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 1800 497 106
If 1800497106 sends you a message claiming to be from your bank, financial institution, or online service:
- Do not: Call the number provided in the message, click any links in the SMS, reply to the message, or provide any personal or account information
- Do: Close the SMS immediately, independently verify the claim by calling your bank's official number from your statement or website, and report the message to your bank directly
- Do: Be particularly cautious if the message mentions urgent payment changes, security codes, gambling transactions (Sportsbet, etc.), or password resets
- Do: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting service) and mark it as spam/scam in your phone settings
How to Report 1800 497 106
If you receive scam calls or SMS from 1800497106, report your experience to Australian authorities and encourage others to stay informed:
- Report to Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - provide details of what the message claimed, when you received it, and whether you engaged with the number
- Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - they investigate telecom scams and illegal use of phone numbers
- Report to your bank directly: Contact your bank's fraud team immediately if you received impersonation SMS claiming to be from them, even if you didn't call back
- Report to ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au if you clicked any links or downloaded attachments from messages related to 1800497106
- Share your experience on Reverseau: Contributing your report helps other Australians recognise and avoid this scam number
Why This Number Is Dangerous
The 1800 497 106 scam operation demonstrates advanced social engineering. Contributors note that callers impersonate multiple legitimate organisations (Suncorp, NAB, ING, UBank, Google, Coinbase) within the same number, suggesting a coordinated team with access to phishing templates and customer data. The use of urgency tactics (security codes updated, payments pending, passwords blocked) combined with callback requests exploits the natural instinct to resolve banking issues quickly.
One contributor's detailed experience reveals that even when questioned, the operator answering 1800497106 smoothly pivoted to suggesting Suncorp affiliation with Big 4 banks and offered to transfer to another representative - a tactic designed to maintain credibility and continue the social engineering process. This level of preparation indicates a professional scam operation rather than random scammers.
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 497 106!
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What Our Users Reviewed
Received a late night text from suncorp saying that my secure code had been updated and if I did not request this to contact suncorp immediately on {1800}497106.
I called the number from a private number. They answered identifying themselves as suncorp (english accent) and when I said I was not a suncorp customer they said suncorp is affiliated with a number of Big 4 banks and it's possible that it was sent in error labelled as suncorp and they could transfer me to another customer representative for assistance. I said no and that I would call my bank myself. The person was perfectly reasonable and could sound legitimate if you're not vigilant.
SMS from Suncorp about Secure Code update, said I needed to call immediately if it wasn't me, sounds fishy
text claiming to be from Suncorp about a changed security number, looks like a scam
Have received 3 texts in 3 days claiming to be from NAB and directing me to call this number if the payment was not correct. Definitely a scam.
Just got a message from this number saying they are Google.
'We've blocked your password change call {1800)497 106'
SMS from AlertNAB pretending to be Fraud Dept, claimed address in Leederville
SMS from ING about security code for $590 payment to Sportsbet, asked to contact ING immediately
Recieved a TEXT from 61423038021 to contact this number for a UBank transfer.
Associated with scam emails pretending to be Coinbase, listed as fake security helpline
Email from crypto wallet asking to call this number if fraudulent, this number is a scam
SMS claiming to be from UBank with security code for $600 payment to Sportsbet, urged to contact UBank immediately
Help others by sharing your experience with 1800 497 106!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already called 1800 497 106 and provided information?
Contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report what information you shared. If you provided account numbers, card details, or passwords to 1800497106, ask your bank to monitor your account for fraudulent transactions and consider freezing your card. Change your passwords if you disclosed them. Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and contact your bank's fraud department directly using the number on your statement, not any number from the original message.
Why do scammers use 1800 numbers like 1800 497 106?
Free-call 1800 numbers like 1800497106 appear legitimate and trustworthy to Australians accustomed to business and bank customer service using these prefixes. The number format makes it easier to convince victims to call back, as 1800 numbers are associated with established organisations. Multiple contributors noted that operators answering 1800497106 sounded professional and used specific bank details, making the scam more convincing than random caller ID numbers.
What if I received a message from 1800 497 106 about a banking issue - is it definitely a scam?
Yes. Legitimate Australian banks never request you to call a number provided in an unsolicited SMS to verify account details, security codes, or payments. If you receive such a message claiming to be from Suncorp, NAB, ING, UBank or any bank referencing 1800497106, it is a scam. Always call your bank using the number on your official statement, bank card, or their official website - never use a number from the original message. The 11 community reports about 1800497106 confirm this pattern consistently across multiple banks.
Should I block 1800 497 106 on my phone?
Yes. Block 1800497106 immediately on your phone and report the number to your phone provider. If you have already received multiple messages from this number, this confirms ongoing targeting. Most Australian phones allow you to block numbers directly in your settings or SMS app. Additionally, register your number with the Do Not Call Register at donotcall.gov.au, though this will not stop scammers already using your details. Reporting to ACMA at acma.gov.au helps authorities track this scam operation.
Why do the SMS messages from 1800 497 106 mention different banks (NAB, Suncorp, ING)?
Contributors report receiving messages from 1800497106 impersonating multiple organisations because this number is operated by a scam team with access to customer data and phishing templates. They test different bank impersonations across different targets to see which claims will convince recipients to call back. One contributor received three separate SMS from 1800497106 over consecutive days, all claiming different banking issues, confirming the scammers are systematically targeting customers with varied approaches to identify which strategy succeeds.
If I clicked a link in a message from 1800 497 106, what should I do?
If you clicked a link in an SMS from 1800497106, your device may have been exposed to malware or phishing. Change all your online banking passwords immediately from a different device, monitor your accounts for unauthorised activity, and consider running antivirus software on your phone. Report the incident to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au and contact your bank's fraud team. If the message also asked you to provide details on a fake login page, notify your bank urgently as your credentials may have been captured. Five separate community reports about 1800497106 mention phishing links embedded in the scam messages.