- Scam
One contributor reported receiving a phishing email referencing 02 9816 9861 (0298169861) impersonating PayPal. Telstra NSW local number used in email scam.
PayPal Phishing Scam Using 02 9816 9861
A contributor has flagged a phishing email that references the number 02 9816 9861 (also written as 0298169861) while impersonating PayPal. The email contained clear scam indicators and was designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing account credentials. This Telstra NSW local service number appears to have been spoofed or referenced in the fraudulent message to add false legitimacy.
What the Phishing Email Contained
The contributor described receiving an email purporting to be from PayPal that included or referenced 0298169861. Phishing emails using spoofed phone numbers typically aim to create urgency around account verification, payment issues, or suspicious activity. The presence of 02 9816 9861 in the message was likely meant to reassure the recipient that the email was genuine, while the actual content directed victims toward a fake login page or malware download.
How Phishing Attacks Using Phone Numbers Work
Scammers frequently include legitimate-looking Australian phone numbers like 02 9816 9861 in phishing emails to bypass spam filters and appear credible. Recipients see a Sydney-based Telstra number and assume the email is authentic PayPal communication. The number itself may be spoofed, cloned, or simply referenced without being the actual sender's contact point. The real danger lies in the embedded links, which direct users to counterfeit login pages designed to harvest usernames, passwords, and payment details.
What to Do If You Receive a Similar Email Referencing 02 9816 9861
If you receive an email claiming to be from PayPal and mentioning this number:
- Do not: Click any links in the email, reply with personal information, or call the number provided
- Do not: Download attachments or enable macros in documents
- Do: Check your PayPal account directly by visiting paypal.com in your browser (type the URL yourself, don't click email links)
- Do: Report the email to PayPal's phishing team by forwarding it to spoof@paypal.com
- Do: Delete the email after reporting it
How to Report PayPal Phishing Using 02 9816 9861
Report this phishing attempt through multiple channels:
- PayPal Phishing: Forward the email to spoof@paypal.com with full headers intact
- Australian Cyber Security Centre: Report via ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
- ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au regarding the spoofed Telstra number 02 9816 9861
- Scamwatch: Report details at scamwatch.gov.au for public awareness
- Reverseau: Share your experience with this number to help other Australians identify similar scams
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What Our Users Reviewed
Got an email from PayPal using this number, total scam vibe
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WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Is 02 9816 9861 a real PayPal number?
No. While 02 9816 9861 is a legitimate Telstra NSW local number format, it is not an official PayPal contact number. PayPal does not initiate account verification via unsolicited emails with Australian phone numbers. If you need to contact PayPal, visit their official website and use verified contact methods listed there, not numbers from emails.
Why would scammers include 0298169861 in a phishing email?
Including a real-looking Australian phone number like 0298169861 makes the scam appear more legitimate. Recipients see a Sydney Telstra number and lower their guard. Scammers spoofed or referenced this number to bypass email filters and create false credibility before directing victims to fake login pages or malware.
What should I do if I clicked a link in an email mentioning 02 9816 9861?
If you clicked a link from a phishing email referencing 02 9816 9861, act immediately: change your PayPal password from a secure device, enable two-factor authentication, check your account for unauthorised transactions, and monitor your linked bank account. Contact your bank directly if you entered payment details. Report the phishing attempt to PayPal at spoof@paypal.com.
Can I call 0298169861 to verify if the email was real?
No. Do not call 0298169861 in response to a suspicious email. Scammers may have spoofed the number, and calling could connect you to the fraudster. Instead, visit PayPal's official website directly, log in to your account, or call PayPal using a phone number from their official website-never from the suspicious email.
How can I tell if a PayPal email is genuine?
Genuine PayPal emails come directly from PayPal's official domain and include your account name. They never ask you to click links to verify information or provide passwords. If an email mentions 02 9816 9861 or asks you to click a link, it's almost certainly a scam. PayPal security alerts appear in your account dashboard first, not via unsolicited emails.
Should I report this email to other organisations besides PayPal?
Yes. Report the phishing email to: PayPal (spoof@paypal.com), the ACMA regarding the spoofed 02 9816 9861 number (acma.gov.au), and the Australian Cyber Security Centre via ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au). You can also lodge a report with Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) to help other Australians. Each report strengthens action against phishing networks.