- Scam
- Suspicious
02 8552 9766 (0285529766): Multiple reports of fake McAfee renewal payment scams via SMS and calls claiming unauthorized charges and requesting video call verification.
McAfee Subscription Scam Reports for 02 8552 9766
Five contributors have reported scam activity from 02 8552 9766 (also written as 0285529766) involving fake McAfee antivirus subscription charges. The pattern centres on fraudulent payment notifications claiming renewal fees have been taken from contributors' accounts, followed by requests for personal information or video call verification. None of the contributors actually held McAfee subscriptions, indicating the scammers are using false billing claims as a pretext for fraud.
The coordinated nature of these reports about 0285529766 suggests an organised campaign. Contributors received multiple contact attempts across SMS, email, and phone calls within a short timeframe, with callers falsely claiming PayPal and McAfee authority.
What Callers and Messages from 02 8552 9766 Claim
Messages from 02 8552 9766 state that a payment has been processed for McAfee antivirus protection renewal, often claiming the charge has already been deducted from the recipient's account. One contributor reported receiving an email plus SMS from this number within days of each other, with the sender requesting a video call to verify payment details.
A particularly deceptive variant involved a caller claiming to represent PayPal, stating the call was regarding a McAfee subscription charge. The contributor noted the caller claimed to be located in Sydney, yet the accompanying email originated from an Italian institution-a red flag suggesting impersonation and potential data aggregation from multiple sources.
Messages about 0285529766 included phishing links designed to capture credentials or banking information. Contributors who engaged received high-pressure follow-ups requesting immediate action to prevent account suspension or payment disputes.
Report Patterns and Timing
Reports about 02 8552 9766 span a concentrated period from 19-23 March 2026, with multiple reports arriving within days of each other. Two separate contributors reported identical McAfee subscription-billing messages, suggesting the scammers are running the same script across multiple victims simultaneously.
The contact methods vary strategically: SMS messages arrive first to prompt urgency, followed by phone calls claiming to be from legitimate companies (PayPal, McAfee). One contributor received communications every few days, indicating automated or semi-automated re-targeting of the same victim. The mix of channels-SMS, email, and direct calls-suggests the scammers are using compiled personal data to reach targets across multiple platforms.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 8552 9766
If 02 8552 9766 calls you:
- Do not: Answer the call or return it, engage in conversation about payment disputes, agree to a video call, or provide any personal information
- Do: Let it go to voicemail, block the number immediately, hang up if you accidentally answer, and verify any billing claims directly through official company websites or phone numbers (never use numbers provided by the caller)
- Verify independently: If concerned about a legitimate subscription charge, contact PayPal or McAfee directly using contact details from their official websites-never use phone numbers or links provided in unsolicited messages
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 8552 9766
If you receive SMS messages from 02 8552 9766:
- Do not: Click any links in the message, reply to confirm your number is active, or follow instructions to verify payment details
- Do: Delete the message, block the sender, and report it to your mobile provider as spam
- Report to authorities: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's ReportCyber SMS spam service) with the original message intact
- Check your accounts: Monitor your bank and PayPal statements for unauthorised charges, but do not use contact details from the scam message to dispute them
How to Report 02 8552 9766
Report this number and your experience through multiple channels:
- Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au with details of all contact attempts and any links or attachments you received
- ACMA: Lodge a complaint about the SMS or call at acma.gov.au-include the sender's number (02 8552 9766), date, time, and message content
- ReportCyber: For phishing links or credential harvesting attempts, report to cyber.gov.au
- Your bank or PayPal: If you clicked links or provided information, immediately contact your financial institution to report potential fraud and monitor for unauthorised transactions
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience on this page to help other Australians identify and avoid this number
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8552 9766!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Scam wanting to video call me regarding payment for virus protection. I'm getting them every few days. I received an email plus a text message. Number has been blocked.
MaCafee scam. Don't have this subscription, but message said a renewal payment had been taken from my acct.
MaCafee scam. Don't have this subscription, but message said a renewal payment had been taken from my acct.
Email saying payment processed for McAfee protection, don't have McAfee, money hasn't come out of account yet
Called claiming to be PayPal about McAfee subscription. Guy says he's in Sydney but email is from Italian institution
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 8552 9766!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 8552 9766 a legitimate McAfee or PayPal number?
No. 02 8552 9766 (0285529766) is not affiliated with McAfee or PayPal. Multiple contributors report that callers falsely claimed to represent PayPal regarding McAfee charges, but the accompanying emails came from unrelated institutions. Legitimate companies never initiate contact demanding immediate payment verification via video call or SMS link. Always verify billing disputes by contacting companies directly using numbers from their official websites, never numbers provided in unsolicited messages.
Why do I keep receiving messages from 02 8552 9766 about McAfee if I don't have a subscription?
The scammers behind 02 8552 9766 deliberately target random recipients with false billing claims because some people panic and engage, increasing the likelihood of sharing payment details. One contributor reported receiving multiple messages from 0285529766 every few days. The scammers are running an automated or semi-manual campaign to maximise victim engagement. Blocking the number and not responding breaks the cycle.
What should I do if I clicked a link from an SMS sent by 02 8552 9766?
If you clicked a link from 02 8552 9766 (0285529766), do not panic but act quickly. Change your PayPal and email passwords immediately using a secure device or browser. Monitor your bank statements closely for unauthorised transactions. Report the phishing attempt to cyber.gov.au and contact your bank. If you entered payment card details, contact your bank immediately to discuss fraud protection options. Report the SMS to 0429 999 888.
Can I trace who is calling from 02 8552 9766?
The number 02 8552 9766 (0285529766) is registered as a local service in NSW via Symbio Networks, but scammers commonly spoof or hijack legitimate-looking numbers for credibility. The reports indicate the callers are impersonating multiple organisations (PayPal, McAfee) with inconsistent details-one claimed to be in Sydney but emailed from an Italian institution. This suggests the scammers are using spoofed caller ID or a compromised VoIP service. Report it to ACMA at acma.gov.au rather than attempting to contact the number.
What is a subscription-billing scam and how does 02 8552 9766 use it?
A subscription-billing scam falsely claims a renewal fee has been charged to your account, creating urgency to make you share payment details or click malicious links. Reports about 02 8552 9766 describe messages stating a McAfee renewal payment had been processed, even though victims never subscribed. The caller then requests video verification or immediate action, exploiting panic. The goal is to capture banking information, PayPal credentials, or personal data for identity theft or account takeover.
Should I block 02 8552 9766 or keep it to gather evidence?
Block 02 8552 9766 immediately. One contributor reported receiving messages every few days from 0285529766, indicating continued targeting once your number is flagged. Save screenshots of the messages and calls as evidence before blocking, then report them to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au), ACMA (acma.gov.au), and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au) with the original message content. Blocking prevents further contact while allowing authorities to investigate based on aggregated community reports.