08 5117 0502 - 0851170502: PayPal Impersonation and Silent Call Reports

• Scam

Community reports for 08 5117 0502 (0851170502) describe PayPal impersonation attempts, silent calls, and account verification scams from a Western Australian number.

PayPal Impersonation Reports for 08 5117 0502

Three contributors have reported suspicious activity from 08 5117 0502 (also written as 0851170502), a Western Australian local service number. The most concerning pattern involves callers impersonating PayPal and requesting account verification details. One contributor received an unsolicited call claiming to be from PayPal, with the caller asking for personal information to "verify" their account. This type of impersonation is a common scam tactic designed to extract sensitive data that could lead to account compromise or identity theft.

Beyond the PayPal impersonation, 0851170502 has also been flagged for silent calls where the line goes dead or the caller hangs up without speaking. These silent calls can be part of a verification tactic where scammers test whether a number is active before launching a more sophisticated attack.

What Callers from 08 5117 0502 Do

One contributor described receiving a call where the caller claimed to represent PayPal and requested account verification. This approach is deceptive because legitimate PayPal rarely initiates account verification calls to existing customers without prior warning. The caller in this instance reached out unexpectedly, a red flag that distinguishes it from genuine company outreach.

Another report about 08 5117 0502 involved a caller who simply hung around on the line without speaking or leaving a voicemail. These silent calls serve multiple purposes in scam operations: they confirm the number is answered by a real person, they can be used to build call lists for follow-up attacks, and they create anxiety that prompts the recipient to call back (which may incur unexpected charges or expose them to further scamming).

Report Patterns

The three reports spanning late October through early December show a mix of tactics. Two reports specifically mention the scam category, while one is classified as nuisance. The distribution suggests 0851170502 may be used for both phishing-style impersonation attempts and low-level harassment through silent calls. All three reports came through answered calls, indicating the number is actively dialling and reaching people.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 08 5117 0502

If 08 5117 0502 calls you:

• Do not: Provide any personal information, account details, passwords, or security codes. Do not confirm whether you have a PayPal account or any other service.
• Do not: Return the call if it's a silent call, as this confirms your number is active and may lead to more calls.
• Do: Hang up immediately if the caller claims to be from PayPal or any financial institution.
• Do: Contact PayPal directly using the phone number on their official website or your account statement to verify any claims about your account.
• Do: Block 08 5117 0502 on your phone if the calls persist or if you receive multiple calls from this number.
• Do: Let unknown calls go to voicemail. Legitimate companies will leave a detailed message explaining why they called.

How to Report 08 5117 0502

If you receive a scam call from 08 5117 0502 or any similar number, report it to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can lodge a complaint at acma.gov.au or contact their Cybersecurity Operations Centre. For PayPal-specific impersonation, also report the incident directly to PayPal through their official website.

Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) maintains a public database of reported scams and can help you understand whether you've encountered a known scam pattern. If you've already provided personal information, Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) offers guidance on protecting your identity and managing potential fraud.

You can also contribute your experience to Reverseau to help other Australians identify similar scams. Community reports are essential for building awareness about numbers like 0851170502 that target multiple victims with the same tactics.

Frequently Asked Questions