- Scam
SMS phishing scam report for 02 7239 1340 (0272391340). Fake PayPal charge alert requesting callback to cancel $999 transaction.
PayPal Phishing Scam via SMS from 02 7239 1340
A contributor has reported receiving an SMS from 02 7239 1340 (also written as 0272391340) containing a phishing attempt disguised as a PayPal alert. The message claimed a $999 charge had been made to the recipient's account and urged them to ring a number immediately to cancel the transaction. This is a classic phishing tactic designed to create urgency and pressure victims into calling a fraudulent number without verification.
The SMS from 02 7239 1340 combined multiple red flags into a single message: a fake payment notification, a request for urgent action, and instructions to call back. Scammers using this approach typically impersonate legitimate payment services to bypass initial scepticism. When recipients call the number provided in the SMS, they're connected to fraudsters who request personal information, banking details, or payment information under the guise of "verifying" the charge or "securing" the account.
What the SMS from 02 7239 1340 Claimed
The message reported for 0272391340 stated there was a $999 PayPal charge and instructed the recipient to ring a specific number to cancel it. The fraudulent SMS created artificial urgency by suggesting immediate action was required to prevent the charge or protect the account. This tactic exploits the natural anxiety people feel when they believe unauthorised charges have been made to their accounts.
The scammer's goal in sending SMS from 02 7239 1340 was twofold: first, to trick the recipient into calling the fraudulent number, and second, to extract personal or financial information once the call was made. Contributors who engage with these messages risk disclosing passwords, card details, or banking credentials to criminals.
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 7239 1340
If 0272391340 texts you with a similar message:
- Do not: Click any links in the SMS, call the number provided, or reply to the message
- Do not: Share personal information, passwords, card numbers, or banking details via phone or text
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Contact PayPal directly using the phone number on your statement or the official PayPal website to verify any charges
- Do: Block 02 7239 1340 in your phone settings
- Do: Report the SMS to your mobile provider as spam
- Do: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's scam reporting service)
How to Report 02 7239 1340
If you receive similar phishing SMS from 0272391340 or other numbers:
- Forward the message to 0429 999 888 and report it as a phishing attempt
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Lodge a report with the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au
- Report the fraudulent PayPal alert to PayPal directly through your account settings
- If you disclosed any information, contact your bank or PayPal immediately to secure your accounts
- Contribute your experience to Reverseau by reporting this number to help protect other Australians from 02 7239 1340
Why PayPal Phishing Scams Target SMS
Scammers favour SMS phishing over email because text messages feel more personal and urgent. Recipients are more likely to act quickly on SMS alerts without verifying them first. The message from 02 7239 1340 exploited this psychology by creating a payment emergency that demanded immediate action. PayPal itself does not send unsolicited SMS requesting callbacks or asking recipients to click links to address payment issues.
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What Our Users Reviewed
Dodgy email about $999 PayPal charge, asking to ring a number to cancel
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Did PayPal really send the SMS from 02 7239 1340?
No. PayPal does not initiate contact via SMS asking you to call a number or click links to address charges. The SMS from 02 7239 1340 (0272391340) is a phishing scam. Legitimate payment alerts from PayPal direct you to log in securely through the official PayPal app or website, never via a callback number in an SMS.
What should I do if I already called the number from 02 7239 1340?
If you called 0272391340 and provided any personal or banking information, contact your bank immediately and request account monitoring or a card replacement if needed. Change your passwords for PayPal and other accounts. Monitor your statements closely for unauthorised charges. Report the incident to your bank's fraud team and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
Is the $999 charge on my PayPal account real?
Log into your actual PayPal account directly (using the official app or website, not via any link from 02 7239 1340) and check your transaction history. If you see no $999 charge, the SMS was entirely fraudulent. If you do see an unexpected charge, contact PayPal's official support immediately to dispute it.
How do scammers use SMS from 02 7239 1340 to steal information?
The SMS from 0272391340 tricks you into calling the scammer's number. Once you call, they impersonate PayPal support and ask you to verify your identity by providing personal details, card numbers, or login credentials. They may also ask you to read out verification codes sent to your phone, which they can use to access your real PayPal account.
Can I block 02 7239 1340 permanently?
Yes. You can block 0272391340 in your phone's contacts or messaging app settings. However, scammers often use spoofed or rotating numbers, so you may receive similar phishing SMS from different numbers. Report each one to 0429 999 888 and your provider. Enable spam filtering in your SMS settings for extra protection.
Why would a scammer use a local NSW number like 02 7239 1340?
Scammers use local numbers from 02 7239 1340 (NSW format) to appear legitimate and increase the chance recipients will answer or respond. A local number feels familiar and trustworthy compared to an unknown area code. The number 0272391340 is allocated to a local service provider, which adds false credibility to the fraudulent SMS.