02 8551 9168 - 0285519168: PayPal Impersonation Scam

• Scam
• Legit

02 8551 9168 (0285519168): 8 scam reports of callers impersonating PayPal, claiming blocked transactions and demanding login details or card information.

PayPal Impersonation Reports for 02 8551 9168

Eight contributors have reported receiving scam calls from 02 8551 9168 (also written as 0285519168) where callers impersonate PayPal staff to extract sensitive account and payment information. The pattern is consistent: callers claim to have blocked a suspicious transaction, reference specific amounts (ranging from $399 to $500), and pressure contributors to provide login credentials or card details.

One contributor noted that the caller on 02 8551 9168 already knew their name before the call began, a detail that creates false legitimacy. Several reports describe callers with heavy accents using common first names like David, Mike, and Paul. When questioned or asked for verification details, these callers from 0285519168 have become defensive, gone blank, or hung up immediately, revealing the scam.

What Callers from 02 8551 9168 Claim

Callers from 02 8551 9168 consistently reference recent unauthorised transactions to justify the call. One contributor reported the caller claimed a $500 charge had been blocked from PayPal and requested card details to stop it. Another received a call about a supposed McAfee antivirus payment, while a third was told about a transaction for antivirus software from Germany. The caller waited on the line while the contributor was asked to log into their PayPal account.

A particularly concerning variant involved the caller from 0285519168 claiming the account hadn't been used recently, then citing a specific blocked charge. When contributors questioned the caller's knowledge (asking for their own name back or requesting a legitimate callback number), those calling from 02 8551 9168 either became defensive or disconnected.

One contributor also reported receiving a similar call from this number impersonating Amazon Customer Service about an order, which suggests the scammers are rotating between multiple company identities.

Call Patterns and Timing

Community reports for 02 8551 9168 span from late 2025 through April 2026, indicating ongoing activity. Several contributors received calls described as arriving "today" or within recent timeframes, suggesting the scam line remains active. One contributor mentioned getting "smashed with calls from numbers starting the same way," implying that 02 8551 9168 is part of a broader campaign using similar phone numbers, all impersonating PayPal.

The calls target answered landlines and mobile phones, suggesting callers are using automated or manual dialling to reach a wide pool of potential victims. The consistency of the scam narrative across multiple reports (blocked transaction, request for login or card details, known name) indicates a coordinated operation rather than isolated incidents.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8551 9168

If 02 8551 9168 calls you:

• Do not: Provide your PayPal password, login credentials, or card details over the phone. PayPal will never ask for these during an unsolicited call.
• Do not: Return the call to the number provided by the caller, as you may reach the scammers again.
• Do not: Follow any links or codes provided during the call.
• Do: Hang up immediately and contact PayPal directly using the number on your account statement or official website.
• Do: Verify any transaction claims by logging into your PayPal account independently via the official app or website.
• Do: Block 02 8551 9168 in your phone settings to prevent future calls from this number.
• Do: Ask for a callback number and employee name if you're uncertain; legitimate companies will provide verifiable details.

How to Report 02 8551 9168

Contributors who have received calls from 02 8551 9168 should report the scam to Australian authorities and PayPal:

• Scamwatch: Report to scamwatch.gov.au with details of the call, the false claims made, and any information requested.
• ACMA: Lodge a complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority at acma.gov.au about the unsolicited and deceptive call.
• PayPal directly: Contact PayPal through your account or their official support channels to report the impersonation.
• ReportCyber: If the scammer attempted to obtain your credentials or financial information, report to cyber.gov.au.
• Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 0285519168 to help other Australians identify this scam number.

Frequently Asked Questions