1800 296 909 - 1800296909: Impersonation and Prize Scam Reports

• Legit
• Scam

1800 296 909 (1800296909): Community reports describe impersonation calls claiming PayPal and McAfee refunds, plus suspicious prize offers.

Impersonation Reports for 1800 296 909

Two contributors have reported suspicious activity linked to 1800 296 909 (also written as 1800296909). The reports describe callers impersonating legitimate companies like PayPal and McAfee, combined with too-good-to-be-true prize claims. The pattern suggests coordinated scam activity using this freephone number across multiple communication channels.

One contributor received a call from 1800 296 909 claiming to be from PayPal about a $1,190 phone purchase on an account. When the contributor questioned the email address associated with the account, the caller became evasive and eventually hung up after 10 minutes of discussion. This behaviour is typical of scammers testing whether a target will engage before escalating pressure tactics.

What Callers from 1800 296 909 Claim

The first report about 1800 296 909 involved a caller impersonating PayPal, referencing a specific high-value transaction ($1,190 for a phone) to establish credibility. The caller attempted to confirm account details but couldn't respond convincingly when challenged on the registered email address - a red flag that exposed the impersonation.

A second contributor reported an initial scam email about a McAfee refund. When they called 1800296909 to verify, they encountered busy tones followed by a recorded voice claiming the caller had won something. This pattern of unsolicited prize claims combined with fake refund notifications is a classic scam combination designed to trigger urgency and excitement, lowering the target's defences.

Report Channels and Patterns

The two reports involving 1800 296 909 arrived through different channels, suggesting the scam operates across multiple contact methods. One came via an answered call, the other originated from a phishing email directing the contributor to call the number. Both occurred within a three-day window in December, indicating active campaign activity. The freephone allocation (1800 prefix) is frequently exploited by scammers because it appears professional and masks the true origin of calls.

What to Do If You Receive a Call from 1800 296 909

If 1800 296 909 calls you:

• Do not: Provide personal information, confirm account details, or discuss payment methods
• Do not: Click links or follow instructions mentioned in the call
• Do: Hang up immediately if the caller cannot answer basic questions about your account
• Do: Contact PayPal, McAfee, or any supposedly calling organisation directly using the official number on their website or your billing statement - never use a number provided by the caller
• Do: Block 1800 296 909 on your phone to prevent repeated contact
• Do: Report the call to the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)

What to Do If You Receive an Email Directing You to Call 1800 296 909

If you receive an email mentioning 1800 296 909 or directing you to call that number:

• Do not: Click any links in the email
• Do not: Call the number provided in the email
• Do: Delete the email immediately
• Do: Report it as spam or phishing to your email provider
• Do: Forward the email to the real company (PayPal, McAfee, etc.) to alert them about impersonation using their brand

How to Report 1800 296 909

If you've been targeted by calls or emails involving 1800 296 909, report your experience to Australian authorities and help protect others:

• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): Report the phone number at acma.gov.au - ACMA investigates unlawful telemarketing and scam calls
• Scamwatch: Report the details of the scam at scamwatch.gov.au - Scamwatch tracks active scams and issues public alerts
• ReportCyber: If the scam involved phishing emails, report to cyber.gov.au
• Reverseau: Contribute your report on this page to help other Australians identify 1800 296 909

Frequently Asked Questions