03 9320 0118 - 0393200118: PayPal Impersonation and Debt Collection Scam

5-min Read34 Reports

  • Scam
  • Legit
  • Unknown
  • Suspicious
  • Spam
  • Uncertain

03 9320 0118 (0393200118): 10 scam reports reveal PayPal impersonation scheme. Callers claim outstanding debts, request personal info, and attempt fraudulent account creation.

PayPal Impersonation Reports for 03 9320 0118

Community reports for 03 9320 0118 (also written as 0393200118) reveal a persistent impersonation scam targeting PayPal account holders. Ten contributors have flagged this Telstra-listed Victorian number for fraudulent activity, primarily involving callers claiming to represent PayPal or debt collection agencies acting on PayPal's behalf.

The most concerning pattern involves attempted identity theft. Multiple contributors report that callers from 0393200118 have attempted to open business accounts or set up fraudulent accounts in their names using their personal information. One contributor discovered that dodgy characters had tried to open a business account in their name after receiving calls from 03 9320 0118. Others report callers asking them to confirm personal details before explaining the reason for the call, a classic social engineering tactic.

What Callers from 03 9320 0118 Claim

Callers from 03 9320 0118 consistently impersonate debt collectors or PayPal representatives. Multiple reports describe callers claiming to be from ARL (a legitimate debt collection agency) calling on behalf of PayPal to collect outstanding debts. However, when contributors verify their PayPal accounts directly, they find no outstanding debts or payment issues.

The manipulation tactics are sophisticated. One contributor reported receiving a call where music played briefly before a woman claiming to be from ARL on behalf of PayPal asked them to confirm personal information before explaining the purpose of the call. Another reported a caller with a fake Indian name who refused to identify their organisation, was rude when questioned, and demanded the contributor's surname.

Contributors consistently report that callers from 0393200118 become evasive when asked basic questions like their company name or the reason for the call. When pressed for accountability, some hang up without providing any explanation. The pattern suggests these callers are using impersonation to bypass trust barriers and extract personal information.

Call Patterns and Timing

This number displays aggressive call patterns typical of scam operations. Multiple contributors report receiving calls from 03 9320 0118 multiple times daily with no voicemail messages left. One contributor noted receiving 2-3 calls each day consistently, while another reported calls arriving daily without explanation or messages.

The frequency and persistence of these calls from 0393200118 suggests an automated or semi-automated dialling campaign. Contributors who answered report the calls often involve brief hold periods with music or silence before a representative comes on the line, consistent with high-volume outbound call centre operations. The lack of voicemails suggests callers are using volume-based tactics rather than genuine debt collection procedures.

Notably, one report indicates the number violates ACCC guidelines for creditor contact frequency, confirming that the calling pattern itself breaches Australian consumer protection standards.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 03 9320 0118

If 03 9320 0118 calls you:

  • Do not: Confirm or provide any personal information, including your full name, date of birth, or financial details
  • Do not: Assume the caller represents PayPal or any legitimate debt collector without independent verification
  • Do not: Follow caller instructions to transfer money or access your online accounts
  • Do: Hang up and contact PayPal directly using the phone number on your PayPal statements or official website
  • Do: Contact your bank immediately if you believe your identity information has been compromised
  • Do: Block the number 0393200118 on your phone to stop repeated calls
  • Do: Let calls go to voicemail if you don't recognise the number

If you owe a PayPal debt, PayPal will contact you directly through your account or verified contact methods, never through unsolicited callers claiming to represent third-party agencies.

How to Report 03 9320 0118

Multiple Australian government and regulatory bodies investigate scams and aggressive debt collection practices:

  • Scamwatch: Report the scam at scamwatch.gov.au, the official Australian government resource for scam reporting
  • ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): File a complaint about the unwanted calls at acma.gov.au, especially regarding the excessive call frequency
  • ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission): Report aggressive or deceptive debt collection practices at accc.gov.au
  • Do Not Call Register: Register your number at donotcall.gov.au if you wish to opt out of telemarketing calls
  • Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 03 9320 0118 to help other Australians identify this scam

If you believe your identity has been used fraudulently, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au and consider lodging a report with local police.

Is This Number Really from PayPal or ARL

No. While ARL (Australian Recovery Lawyers) is a legitimate debt collection firm, this number does not represent PayPal or legitimate debt collection activity. Several key indicators expose the scam:

  • Callers ask for personal confirmation before stating their purpose, which legitimate debt collectors do not do
  • Contributors who verify their accounts find zero outstanding PayPal debts despite caller claims
  • The call frequency violates ACCC guidelines for lawful creditor contact
  • Callers refuse to identify themselves or their organisation when questioned
  • Attempted account creation fraud suggests criminal identity theft, not debt collection

Legitimate PayPal debt notices arrive through your PayPal account dashboard first, followed by direct contact from PayPal, not third-party callers from 0393200118.


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Ratings Distribution

2.0 out of 5
5 Stars 3%
4 Stars 9%
3 Stars 24%
2 Stars 18%
1 Star 44%

What Our Users Reviewed

A
Anonymous

Impersonating PayPal, set up shifty account in my name and email

A
Anonymous

It's ARL Collecting money I owe to PayPal - which I do, so not a scam for me.

A
Anonymous

Keeps calling, flagged by phone as potential scam

A
Anonymous

Asked for my name but wouldn't say where calling from, respected privacy when I objected

A
Anonymous

Claiming I owe PayPal cash but I don't, found out dodgy characters trying to open business account in my name

A
Anonymous

Calls every day with no message

A
Anonymous

Caller claimed to be debt collector for PayPal, but checked account and nothing's wrong

A
Anonymous

ARL Collections called about old PayPal debt, said they're working with PayPal

A
Anonymous

Claimed to be arl on behalf of paypal, threatened them

A
Anonymous

Phones 2 or 3 times each day. Doesn't leave message.

A
Anonymous

Held briefly then someone with a fake Indian name asked for my surname, wouldn't say who they were, kept being rude

A
Anonymous

ARL claiming I owe PayPal a debt, but PayPal confirmed my account's fine, didn't answer or respond

A
Anonymous

Answered and music was playing, then woman said she's from ARL on behalf of PayPal. asked me to confirm personal info before explaining why she called. definitely seems like a scam

A
Anonymous

number violates ACCC guidelines for creditor contact frequency

A
Anonymous

Beware of 2025’s best scam artist.

A
Anonymous

Number appears to be associated with scam artist

A
Anonymous

Could be a scammer or debt collector, hard to tell without more info

A
Anonymous

called back and got directed to ARL messaging service collecting info, seems like scam

A
Anonymous

Answered but just heard music like I was on hold, hung up

A
Anonymous

Credit Corp called, reminder they're legally restricted to max seven times in seven days, recommend taking screenshots and emailing yourself for documentation

A
Anonymous

Mentioned my name, asked to contact ARL at 1300 303 849 with reference number 107245842. ignored it, seemed suspicious

A
Anonymous

Getting calls daily for weeks, answered once and got music, stopped answering cause it's suspicious

A
Anonymous

Got 14 missed calls since start of year, finally left voicemail today mispronouncing my name, told me to call back with reference number

A
Anonymous

Definitely a spam.

Under no circumstances proceed to provide any sensitive data.

Politely thank them for their call and promptly hang up on them.

G
Goralski

As others have said, when you answer it is hold music which I don't think a legit organisation would do. They claimed to be a debt collecting agency with my file referred from PayPal. I said that I had already followed up with PayPal (as I have been getting text messages for a while). I haven't had any response from PayPal, which tells me there is no issue, and there is no debit on my account. The operator said I should call PayPal and she would give me the number - I said I would prefer to look it up. She became frustrated saying if I didn't call PayPal she would just have to call me back. That's fine. I know my data has been involved in the many data breaches in Australia, so I guess these scammers have it.

A
Anonymous

Got call, no voicemail

A
Anonymous

Complete silence on other end, no one spoke

A
Anonymous

Caller claimed to be from PayPal, but PayPal confirmed no issues on my account when I checked

A
Anonymous

Called several times with no voicemail

A
Anonymous

Suspicious call, I foolishly answered, went straight to 'on hold' Services Australia hold music. Most likely debt collection.

D
Dhillon

No answer. Sounds like spam.

A
Anonymous

Answered and was placed oh hold. They can F Off!

A
Anonymous

Calls you then they put you on f*king hold like bitch what? Definitely a spam.

B
Basilio

Spam wouldn't say where calling from.


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Frequently Asked Questions

I received a call from 03 9320 0118 claiming I owe PayPal money. Should I provide my details to verify my account

No. Do not provide any personal information to callers from 03 9320 0118. Legitimate PayPal and debt collectors never ask you to confirm details before explaining why they're calling. Instead, hang up immediately and contact PayPal directly using the phone number on your official PayPal account or statements. Contributors who verified their accounts found no outstanding debts despite calls from 0393200118, confirming this is a scam.

Why does 0393200118 keep calling multiple times per day without leaving messages

Multiple contributors report receiving 2-3 calls daily from 03 9320 0118 with no voicemails left. This pattern is typical of scam operations using automated or high-volume dialling to maximize reach. One report notes that this calling frequency violates ACCC guidelines for creditor contact. Block the number 0393200118 in your phone settings to prevent further unwanted calls.

A caller from 03 9320 0118 said they were from ARL on behalf of PayPal. Is this legitimate

While ARL (Australian Recovery Lawyers) is a real debt collection company, calls from 0393200118 claiming to represent them on behalf of PayPal are fraudulent. Contributors report that when they verify their PayPal accounts independently, they find no outstanding debts. Legitimate debt collectors don't impersonate PayPal or contact you before explaining the debt. Hang up and verify directly with PayPal and your bank.

Someone from 0393200118 tried to open a business account in my name. What should I do

This indicates identity theft. Contact PayPal immediately through your official account to check for fraudulent account attempts. Report the fraud to cyber.gov.au through ReportCyber, file a report with local police, and contact your bank to monitor for unauthorised activity. Block 03 9320 0118 and consider a credit freeze with major Australian credit bureaus to prevent further fraudulent accounts.

How can I tell if a call claiming to be from PayPal or a debt collector is real

Real PayPal and debt collector communications follow specific protocols: they'll never ask you to confirm personal details before explaining the purpose of the call, they'll provide a verifiable company name immediately, and they won't pressure you during the call. For 0393200118 specifically, contributors report callers refusing to identify their organisation and becoming rude when questioned. Always hang up and contact PayPal or the supposed debt collector independently using official contact details.

Should I call back 03 9320 0118 to ask why they're calling

No. Do not call back 0393200118 or any unknown number claiming to be a debt collector. Callers from this number may attempt to extract personal information or trick you into confirming details for identity theft. If you're concerned about an actual PayPal debt, access your PayPal account directly online or call PayPal using the number on your statements. Contributors have confirmed that calling back 03 9320 0118 has not resolved false debt claims.