- Scam
02 9198 9203 (0291989203): One contributor reports PayPal impersonation call requesting personal information to stop a suspicious transaction.
PayPal Impersonation Report for 02 9198 9203
One contributor has reported a scam call from 02 9198 9203 (also written as 0291989203) impersonating PayPal. The caller claimed to be from PayPal and offered to help the recipient stop a suspicious transaction on their account. During the call, the caller mentioned a Sydney PayPal address to appear legitimate, but the intent was to obtain personal information from the contributor.
This type of impersonation targets PayPal account holders by creating urgency around fraudulent activity. The caller's reference to a specific location (Sydney) is a common tactic to build credibility and lower the recipient's guard.
What the Caller from 02 9198 9203 Said
The contributor reported that the caller from 0291989203 claimed to represent PayPal and stated they were calling to help stop a suspicious transaction. The caller referenced a Sydney PayPal address during the conversation, likely to convince the recipient they were speaking with an official PayPal representative.
The core objective was to guide the recipient through steps that would expose their personal information, possibly including account credentials, payment details, or other sensitive data. Scammers using this approach typically ask recipients to verify account details, confirm card numbers, or navigate to fake payment portals.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 02 9198 9203
If 02 9198 9203 calls you or any similar number claiming to be from PayPal:
- Do not: Share account details, passwords, card numbers, or PIN codes; follow the caller's instructions to access your account; or transfer money
- Do: Hang up immediately and contact PayPal directly using the number on your statement or PayPal's official website; verify the caller's identity through official channels before sharing any information; and block the number 0291989203 if it calls again
- If you're unsure: End the call, wait 5 minutes, and ring PayPal's official customer service number to confirm whether they contacted you
How to Report 02 9198 9203
If you receive a scam call from 02 9198 9203, report it through the following Australian resources:
- Scamwatch: Report the call at scamwatch.gov.au - include the phone number 0291989203, date, time, and details of what the caller claimed
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a complaint about the call at acma.gov.au
- ReportCyber: If the scam involved an attempt to steal credentials or access accounts, report it at cyber.gov.au
- Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 02 9198 9203 to help other Australians identify this number
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WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Claimed to be PayPal, wanted to guide me through stopping a suspicious transaction, mentioned Sydney PayPal address
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 9198 9203 actually PayPal calling me?
No. PayPal does not make unsolicited calls asking for personal information or account details. If you receive a call from 02 9198 9203 claiming to be PayPal, hang up immediately. To verify, end the call and contact PayPal directly using the number on your account statement or their official website.
What should I do if I already gave information to the caller from 0291989203?
Contact PayPal immediately at 1300 889 925 (Australian PayPal support) and inform them of the call. If you shared your password or card details with the caller from 02 9198 9203, change your PayPal password immediately and monitor your account for unauthorised transactions. Consider placing a fraud alert with your bank if payment details were compromised.
Why would a scammer mention a Sydney PayPal address?
Scammers mention specific locations like Sydney to create false credibility. By referencing a real PayPal office address, the caller from 0291989203 tries to convince you they work for PayPal. This is a social engineering tactic. Legitimate PayPal staff will never cold-call asking you to verify personal information.
How can I block 02 9198 9203 on my phone?
On most Australian phones, you can block 0291989203 by adding it to your contacts and marking it as 'Block' or 'Spam', or by using your phone's built-in call filtering settings. For iPhone, use the Silence Unknown Callers feature. For Android, enable Call Screen or use a third-party app like Truecaller. Contact your phone provider if you need assistance blocking the number.
Could this call be legitimate because they mentioned my account?
No. Scammers often have access to basic personal details (names, phone numbers) from data breaches. Even if the caller from 02 9198 9203 knew your name or mentioned your account, this does not verify they work for PayPal. Legitimate companies never ask you to confirm sensitive details like passwords or card numbers over the phone.
What happens if I accidentally clicked a link the caller from 0291989203 sent?
If the caller from 02 9198 9203 sent a link via SMS or email, do not enter your details on that page. Report it to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au. Contact PayPal immediately and change your password. If you entered credentials on a fake page, notify your bank and consider requesting new payment cards to prevent fraud on the number 0291989203.