- Scam
Community reports for 02 9099 7620 (0290997620) describe fake PayPal calls and SMS impersonating the payment platform with retail background noise.
PayPal Impersonation Reports for 02 9099 7620
Two contributors have reported scam activity from 02 9099 7620 (also written as 0290997620) involving impersonation of PayPal. The reports indicate a coordinated attempt to trick recipients into believing they've received unauthorised PayPal transactions, using both SMS and voice calls to build credibility.
One contributor received a call from 02 9099 7620 where the caller explicitly claimed to represent PayPal, but the background noise clearly revealed retail staff conversations typical of a Currys store environment. This mismatch between the claimed identity and actual location is a hallmark of impersonation scams using spoofed numbers.
What Callers from 02 9099 7620 Say
Contributors report the scam operates on two channels. The SMS approach sends a message thanking the recipient for a PayPal order, with 0290997620 included in the message to create an appearance of legitimacy. This tactic aims to prompt recipients to call back or click embedded links believing they need to verify a fraudulent transaction.
When contacting via voice call, the impersonator claims direct affiliation with PayPal. However, contributors immediately recognised the deception when retail background noise from what sounded like a Currys store became audible during the call from 02 9099 7620. This type of environmental slip reveals the scammer is operating from a call centre or retail location rather than a genuine PayPal office.
Report Patterns and Timing
Both reports arrived within a 48-hour window in early February, suggesting a focused campaign. One contributor received the SMS on 3 February, while another answered the impersonation call on 1 February from 02 9099 7620. The dual-channel approach (SMS followed by voice) is typical of scammers testing which method generates responses, allowing them to refine their targeting.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9099 7620
If 02 9099 7620 calls you claiming to represent PayPal:
- Do not: Confirm your identity, provide account details, or agree to any verification process over the phone
- Do: Hang up immediately and contact PayPal directly using the phone number on your official PayPal statement or the PayPal website
- Verify independently: Log into your PayPal account directly (not via any link provided by the caller) to check your transaction history
- Block the number: Add 02 9099 7620 to your phone's blocked contacts list to prevent repeat calls
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 02 9099 7620
If you receive an SMS from 0290997620 claiming to be from PayPal:
- Do not: Click any links, reply to the message, or call any number included in the SMS
- Do: Delete the message and block the number
- Report as spam: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's SMS spam reporting service)
- Verify via official channels: Contact PayPal directly through their official website or app to confirm whether any transaction occurred
How to Report 02 9099 7620
If you've received scam calls or SMS from 02 9099 7620 (0290997620), report it to the following Australian authorities:
- Scamwatch: Report PayPal impersonation scams at scamwatch.gov.au - this helps alert other Australians to the same threat
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a formal complaint about the number at acma.gov.au - ACMA tracks patterns across phone numbers and can take enforcement action
- PayPal: Report the impersonation directly to PayPal through your account settings so they can monitor the threat
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience to this page so other Australians can identify 02 9099 7620 immediately if they receive contact from it
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 7620!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Dodgy message thanking me for PayPal order with this number tagged along
Claimed to be from PayPal but sounded like Currys staff in background, obvious fake
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 7620!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why would scammers use 02 9099 7620 to impersonate PayPal?
PayPal is a high-value target because contributors often hold payment card and bank details in their accounts. By claiming to represent PayPal and referencing a transaction, scammers hope to bypass normal caution. The use of 02 9099 7620 (a NSW local number) makes the call appear locally legitimate rather than obviously overseas. One contributor noted the retail background noise revealed the scammer was actually at a Currys store, not PayPal offices.
What should I do if I already provided information to a caller from 02 9099 7620?
Contact PayPal immediately through official channels (paypal.com or your app) and report the fraudulent contact. If you provided your PayPal password or security codes, change them right away. Monitor your PayPal account and linked bank accounts for unauthorised transactions. If funds have been taken, report it to your bank and to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au. Document the date and time you received the call from 02 9099 7620 for your records.
Can I trust a number that looks local like 02 9099 7620?
No. Modern phone spoofing technology allows scammers to display any number, including legitimate-looking NSW numbers like 02 9099 7620. One contributor received a call from 0290997620 claiming to be PayPal, but the background noise revealed a Currys retail store. Always verify by calling the official number on your account statement or visiting the company's official website, never by using a number provided by the caller.
Why did the SMS from 02 9099 7620 include the phone number in the message?
Scammers include the number (02 9099 7620) in the SMS to make it appear official and to prompt you to call back. When you do, the person answering (also the scammer) confirms they're 'from PayPal' and guides you through a fake verification process to steal your details. This two-step approach (SMS + callback) increases the likelihood you'll engage with the scam.
Should I report the SMS from 0290997620 to PayPal or to authorities?
Do both. Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's dedicated SMS spam reporting number) to flag it as a scam. Also report the impersonation to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au so the threat is logged publicly. Finally, report it directly to PayPal through your account so they're aware the 02 9099 7620 number is being used in impersonation attempts. This multi-channel reporting helps protect other PayPal users.
Is it safe to block 02 9099 7620 permanently?
Yes. PayPal will never call you from 02 9099 7620 or contact you via SMS with unexpected transaction alerts asking you to verify details. Legitimate PayPal communications arrive through your account inbox or registered email. Block 0290997620 immediately on your phone. If your phone allows it, also enable 'Filter Unknown Senders' to reduce the chance of similar spoofed numbers reaching you.