02 8552 4009 - 0285524009: PayPal Subscription Scam Reports

• Scam

02 8552 4009 (0285524009): Community reports of fake PayPal/McAfee subscription charge scam emails directing victims to call this NSW number.

PayPal Subscription Scam Reports for 02 8552 4009

Two contributors have reported receiving fraudulent emails that reference 02 8552 4009 (also written as 0285524009) as a contact number for disputing fake charges. The scam targets PayPal account holders with false claims of subscription billing, specifically fraudulent McAfee antivirus charges that contributors say they never authorised. The emails appear designed to trick recipients into calling 0285524009 to "resolve" payments on accounts they don't even own.

One contributor received an email claiming a fee had been charged to a PayPal account in their name, with 02 8552 4009 listed as the number to call for payment disputes. The second report indicates the same scam is circulating broadly, with the fraudulent message falsely stating a McAfee subscription charge has been processed. Both contributors recognised the emails as scams and avoided calling the number.

How the Scam Email Works

The fraudulent emails impersonating PayPal create urgency by claiming unauthorised charges have been made. The emails then provide 02 8552 4009 as the contact point for victims to "resolve" the payment dispute. This is a classic social engineering tactic: the scammers want to establish phone contact to either extract personal information, banking details, or payment information under the guise of rectifying a legitimate charge. Contributors report the emails mention specific products like McAfee to add credibility, even though they never purchased these services.

What to Do If You Receive This Scam Email

If you receive an email claiming to be from PayPal about unexpected subscription charges:

• Do not: Call 02 8552 4009 or any number provided in the email, click embedded links, or reply to the message
• Do: Delete the email immediately and block the sender
• Do: If concerned about your actual PayPal account, log in directly via paypal.com (not via any link in the email) to check your account status and transaction history
• Do: Report the fraudulent email to PayPal directly through their official website or app
• Do: Report the scam to Australian authorities using the resources listed below

Why This Scam Targets PayPal Users

Scammers choose PayPal because it's a trusted, widely-used payment platform. The mention of McAfee (a recognised antivirus brand) adds false legitimacy to the fraudulent charge claim. Victims who panic about unexpected charges are more likely to call the provided number without verifying the email's authenticity. The scammers behind 0285524009 rely on this urgency to bypass victims' normal skepticism.

How to Report This Scam

• PayPal: Report the fraudulent email directly through your PayPal account security settings or via paypal.com/suspicious
• Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au - include the email content and 02 8552 4009 as the contact number provided
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a report at acma.gov.au if you believe the number 0285524009 is being used for scam purposes
• Australian Cyber Security Centre: Report to reportcyber.gov.au if the email contains malware or phishing links
• Reverseau: Contribute your experience with this number to help other Australians recognise and avoid similar scams

Protect Yourself From Similar Scams

Legitimate companies like PayPal and antivirus providers will never ask you to call a number provided in an unsolicited email to resolve account issues. Always verify contact details by visiting the official website directly (type the URL yourself, don't click email links) or by checking your official account statements. If you're unsure whether a charge is real, contact the company using publicly-listed contact information, not details from the suspicious email.

Frequently Asked Questions