1800 426 891 - 1800426891: PayPal Impersonation Scam

• Scam

1800 426 891 (1800426891): Contributor reports fake PayPal email scam directing victims to call this number after falsely claiming unauthorised transactions.

PayPal Impersonation Scam Reports for 1800 426 891

A contributor has reported 1800 426 891 (also written as 1800426891) being used in a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal. The scam email falsely claims the recipient has made a transaction and their account will be charged, then directs them to call 1800 426 891 to verify the activity. This is a deliberate impersonation scheme designed to trick victims into contacting the scammers directly.

The freephone number 1800 426 891 appears to be registered across multiple telcos, which is typical of how scammers exploit shared telco infrastructure. The use of a fake PayPal email combined with a callback number is a common two-stage scam tactic - first establishing false urgency, then capturing the victim when they call.

How This Scam Works

The contributor who received the fake PayPal email describes the scam clearly: the fraudulent message claims unauthorised charges, creating panic and urgency. Victims are then encouraged to call 1800 426 891 to "resolve" the issue. Once on the line, scammers can extract personal information, banking details, or payment method information under the guise of account verification.

The contributor's assessment was direct - this is a straightforward scam, and calling 1800 426 891 should be avoided entirely. Legitimate PayPal communications will never ask you to call a number provided in an unsolicited email.

What to Do If You Receive a Similar Email

If you receive an email claiming to be from PayPal and directing you to call 1800 426 891:

• Do not: Call the number provided in the email, click any links, or reply to the email
• Do not: Share any personal information, account details, or payment methods
• Do: Delete the email immediately
• Do: Contact PayPal directly using the official contact details on their website (paypal.com), not numbers from emails
• Do: Log into your PayPal account directly (not via email links) to check your transaction history
• Do: Forward the fraudulent email to PayPal's abuse team and your email provider

What to Do If You've Already Called 1800 426 891

If you've already called this number and provided any personal information:

• Contact PayPal directly via their official website to check your account for any suspicious activity
• Monitor your bank and credit card accounts for unauthorised transactions
• Consider placing a fraud alert with your bank if you provided banking details
• Change your PayPal password immediately if you still have access to your account

How to Report 1800 426 891

Report this scam number and the fraudulent email to the following Australian resources:

• Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au - report the fake PayPal email and phone number
• ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority): acma.gov.au - report the misuse of the freephone number
• PayPal's Abuse Team: Forward the fraudulent email directly to PayPal to report the impersonation
• ReportCyber: cyber.gov.au - report the phishing email if it contains malicious links
• Reverseau: Report your experience with 1800 426 891 on this page to help other Australians identify this scam

Why Freephone Numbers Are Targeted by Scammers

Freephone numbers like 1800 426 891 are attractive to scammers because they appear legitimate to unsuspecting victims. The 1800 prefix suggests a large organisation, and the freephone nature means potential victims feel safer calling. However, freephone numbers can be leased by any organisation, making them vulnerable to fraudulent use. Always verify any number independently rather than calling numbers provided in unsolicited emails or messages.

Frequently Asked Questions