1800 290 843 - 1800290843: PayPal Phishing Scam Reports

• Scam
• Suspicious

Community reports for 1800 290 843 (1800290843): Fraudulent PayPal invoices for Norton LifeLock ($599) sent via SMS and email from fake Hotmail accounts.

PayPal Phishing Scam Reports for 1800 290 843

Two contributors have reported scam activity linked to 1800 290 843 (also written as 1800290843). Both reports describe nearly identical phishing attempts using fake PayPal invoices for Norton LifeLock antivirus membership charging $599 to $599.99 AUD. The scammers used 1800 290 843 as a toll-free contact number embedded in fraudulent communications, directing recipients to contact this number or click malicious links.

The invoices were sent from random Hotmail accounts rather than official PayPal or Norton channels, a clear indicator of fraudulent activity. One contributor received the fake invoice via SMS, while another received it through email. Both reports highlight the deliberate impersonation of legitimate payment and security software providers to create urgency and exploit trust in recognisable brands.

What the Fraudulent Communications Claim

The fake invoices arriving from 1800290843-related scams claim to be PayPal billing notices for Norton LifeLock renewal or new membership. Contributors report that the invoices specify a charge of approximately $599-$599.99 AUD and appear to come from PayPal, but originate from unverified Hotmail addresses. The scam leverages the credibility of Norton LifeLock (a genuine antivirus product) and PayPal (a trusted payment platform) to appear legitimate.

The communications sent about 1800 290 843 include phishing links designed to capture personal information, account credentials, or payment details when clicked. The inclusion of the 1800 290 843 number suggests scammers intended recipients to call for "support" or dispute the charge, further establishing false legitimacy and potentially exposing callers to additional social engineering.

Report Patterns and Communication Channels

Community reports about 1800 290 843 span both SMS and email delivery methods, indicating a multi-channel phishing campaign. One contributor received the fraudulent invoice via text message, while another encountered it through email - both within the same 8-day period in December. The use of multiple delivery channels suggests coordinated scam activity rather than isolated incidents.

The toll-free nature of 1800 290 843 makes it particularly effective for scams, as many Australians trust toll-free numbers as legitimate business contacts. Scammers deliberately included this number in the fake invoices to add perceived authenticity and encourage recipients to respond rather than ignore the message.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS or Email Mentioning 1800 290 843

If you receive a suspicious PayPal invoice or Norton LifeLock billing notice referencing 1800 290 843:

• Do not: Click any links in the message, reply to the email, or call 1800 290 843
• Do not: Enter your PayPal password, credit card details, or personal information on any linked website
• Do: Verify directly with PayPal by logging into your official PayPal account (not via any link in the message) to check your transaction history
• Do: Contact Norton LifeLock through their official website or customer service number to confirm whether a renewal is actually due
• Do: Delete the SMS or email immediately after verifying it is fraudulent
• Do: Block the sender's email address or SMS number in your device settings

How to Report 1800 290 843 and Phishing Scams

If you receive phishing messages referencing 1800 290 843 or similar PayPal/Norton impersonation scams, report the activity through these Australian resources:

• Scamwatch: Report the phishing scam at scamwatch.gov.au - they track active scam campaigns and provide public alerts
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the SMS or unwanted communications at acma.gov.au
• ReportCyber: For phishing links and online fraud, report to cyber.gov.au - particularly if you clicked a link or entered information
• PayPal directly: Forward the fraudulent invoice to spoof@paypal.com to alert their fraud team
• Norton/Lifelock: Report the impersonation to Norton's official support channels through their website
• Reverseau: Contribute your experience with 1800 290 843 to help other Australians identify this scam number

When reporting, include screenshots of the message, the sender's address, any links mentioned, and details about when you received it. This information helps authorities track coordinated phishing campaigns and protect other Australians from 1800290843-related fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions