- Scam
02 9099 7900 (0290997900): Contributors report PayPal impersonation calls with urgent payment approval claims and requests for personal information.
PayPal Impersonation Reports for 02 9099 7900
Four contributors have flagged calls from 02 9099 7900 (also written as 0290997900) as suspicious scam activity. The most detailed report describes a caller claiming to represent a PayPal security company, contacting the recipient about an unexpected $900 payment approval. The caller requested personal information while there was noticeable background chaos on the line, a common tactic used by illegitimate operations to maintain plausible deniability.
Additional reports about 0290997900 describe callers using deliberately vague language and hanging up when questioned or when the recipient engaged playfully with the script. One contributor noted the call "felt seriously dodgy" from the moment they heard the caller's voice, suggesting poor impersonation quality or suspicious speech patterns.
What Callers from 02 9099 7900 Say
The primary report from 02 9099 7900 details a caller claiming affiliation with a PayPal security team. The caller stated they were calling to approve or verify a $900 payment, creating artificial urgency around an unauthorised transaction. When the recipient played along to gather information, the caller abruptly hung up rather than continuing the script.
The background noise during the call from 02 9099 7900 suggests a shared call centre environment, which is typical of scam operations managing multiple simultaneous calls. One contributor attempted to call 0290997900 back the next day and received a voicemail message that sounded suspicious or incomplete, indicating the number may rotate between active scam calls and inactive periods.
Recorded Messages and Uncertainty
Separate reports about 02 9099 7900 mention a recorded robotic message claiming to be from Optus and stating "regrets that this number has been disconnected." This type of spoofed message is often used to trigger callback responses or to establish false legitimacy. Such recordings can be used to harvest valid phone numbers or to prime recipients for follow-up scam calls.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9099 7900
If 02 9099 7900 calls you:
- Do not: Answer unexpected calls from numbers you don't recognise, return calls to numbers that ring you first, or share personal or financial information including payment details, card numbers, or account credentials
- Do: Let the call go to voicemail, verify any urgent payment claims by contacting PayPal directly using the official number on your account statement or PayPal's website, and block 0290997900 immediately if the same number calls repeatedly
- If you engage: Never confirm or deny any transactions. Scammers use your responses to refine their targeting. Legitimate companies will never ask you to approve urgent payments via unsolicited calls
Report Patterns and Timing
Reports about 02 9099 7900 span from March 2025 to February 2026, indicating this number has been used for scam activity over an extended period. The calls were answered directly by contributors, suggesting the number is actively dialled rather than entirely automated. The mix of impersonation attempts, robotic messages, and voicemail loops indicates the number may be part of a rotating scam operation that cycles between active calling phases and inactive periods.
How to Report 02 9099 7900
If you've received a scam call from 02 9099 7900 or 0290997900, report it through these channels:
- Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au): Report the PayPal impersonation attempt with details of what the caller claimed and any personal information they requested
- ACMA (acma.gov.au): Lodge a complaint about the unwanted call, including the date, time, and nature of the call from 02 9099 7900
- PayPal directly: If the caller claimed to represent PayPal, report the impersonation attempt to security@paypal.com so PayPal can track spoofing attempts
- Reverseau community: Contribute your report about 02 9099 7900 to help other Australians identify this number and protect themselves from similar calls
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 7900!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Call was seriously dodgy, knew it was a scam soon as I heard it. tried calling back next day, got shady voicemail
woman talking about PayPal wanting to approve $900 payment, claimed security company but chaos in background, hung up when I played along
Scam call.
Recorded message saying 'Optus regrets that this number has been disconnected'
Help others by sharing your experience with (02) 9099 7900!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why did the caller from 02 9099 7900 hang up when I played along with their story?
Scammers operating from 02 9099 7900 often use scripts designed for people who are confused or panicked. When a recipient engages strategically or asks detailed questions, it breaks the caller's script and makes the interaction unprofitable for them. Hanging up allows them to move to the next call. The contributor who received this call from 0290997900 noted the caller terminated the conversation as soon as they stopped responding with fear or compliance.
Is 02 9099 7900 actually from PayPal or a security company?
No. The caller claiming to be from a PayPal security team was impersonating PayPal. PayPal never initiates unsolicited calls asking you to approve or verify payments via phone. If you receive a call from 02 9099 7900 claiming to be from PayPal, it is fraudulent. PayPal's legitimate support team only contacts customers who have initiated contact first, and they will never ask for passwords or card details over the phone.
What was the background noise during the call from 0290997900?
The background chaos mentioned in the report from 02 9099 7900 is typical of call centre operations running multiple simultaneous scam calls. The noise suggests the caller was in a shared environment with other callers, which is consistent with overseas scam operations or domestic fraud call centres. Legitimate companies maintain controlled call environments with professional audio quality.
Should I be concerned about the Optus recorded message from 02 9099 7900?
Yes. The robotic message from 02 9099 7900 claiming to be from Optus stating "this number has been disconnected" is a spoofed message designed to manipulate you into calling back. This is a common scam tactic to verify that your phone number is active and monitored, potentially leading to further scam attempts. Do not return calls to numbers that call you first, especially if the message sounds robotic or suspicious.
What should I do if I already shared information with a caller from 02 9099 7900?
If you shared financial information, passwords, or card details with someone claiming to be from PayPal on 02 9099 7900, contact PayPal immediately through the official PayPal app or website (not via any number the caller provided). Change your PayPal password and enable two-factor authentication. Monitor your bank and PayPal accounts for unauthorised transactions. Report the incident to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and consider alerting your bank.
Why does the number 0290997900 keep calling if it's a scam?
The extended timeline of reports about 02 9099 7900 from March 2025 to February 2026 suggests this number is part of a scam operation with rotating active and inactive periods. Scammers may pause calling to avoid triggering too many complaints or to cycle the number back into service after it cools down. The mix of live calls and robotic messages indicates the number may be reactivated periodically for different scam campaigns.