1800 959 673 - 1800959673: PayPal Impersonation SMS Scam

• Scam

SMS scam alert: 1800 959 673 (1800959673) impersonates PayPal, sent from +44 UK number, lures victims to call back. Community report.

PayPal Impersonation SMS Scam Targeting 1800 959 673

A contributor has reported receiving an SMS impersonating PayPal that directs recipients to call back to 1800 959 673 (also written as 1800959673). The SMS originated from a +44 UK phone number, a common tactic used by scammers to create distance from their actual location while appearing to represent a legitimate Australian service number.

The scam works by establishing false urgency through the impersonation, convincing the recipient that they need to contact PayPal immediately regarding their account. By requesting a callback to 1800 959 673, the scammer isolates the victim and gains control over the conversation, making it easier to extract sensitive information or financial details.

What the SMS from 1800 959 673 Says

The contributor reported that the SMS claims to be from PayPal and explicitly asks the recipient to call back to 1800 959 673. This callback-lure tactic is particularly effective because it reverses the normal flow of communication, making victims believe they are initiating contact with a legitimate company rather than responding to an unsolicited approach.

The use of a +44 international number as the sender conceals the scammer's true location while the 1800 number creates the impression of local legitimacy. Once a victim calls 1800 959 673, the scammer can pose as a PayPal representative and request account verification details, passwords, payment information, or security codes.

Why This Scam Is Effective

This particular scam combines two powerful tactics. First, it impersonates PayPal, a payment platform most Australians recognise and trust. Second, it uses the callback-lure method, which exploits the common assumption that calling a number yourself makes it safer. Many people believe that if they initiate the call, they are controlling the interaction, but once connected to 1800 959 673, they are actually speaking with a scammer who has prepared their pitch.

What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 1800 959 673

If you receive an SMS claiming to be from PayPal or directing you to call 1800 959 673:

• Do not: Call the number provided in the SMS, reply to the message, or click any links
• Do not: Provide any personal information, account details, passwords, or security codes
• Do: Delete the SMS immediately
• Do: Report it as spam through your phone's native reporting feature
• Do: Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA's spam reporting number)
• Do: Contact PayPal directly using the contact details on their official website or your account statement, never using information from the suspicious SMS

How to Report 1800 959 673

Report this scam through multiple channels to help protect other Australians:

• Forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (ACMA Spam Report)
• Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au with details of the sender number (+44), the callback number (1800 959 673), and the exact message content
• Report the scam to PayPal directly through your account settings or their official contact channels
• Report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au if you believe your personal information was compromised
• Submit a community report on Reverseau to help other Australians identify this scam

Protecting Yourself from PayPal Impersonation Scams

PayPal and other legitimate financial services will never ask you to call back to a number provided in an unsolicited message. If you receive any communication claiming to be from PayPal requesting urgent action, independently verify by logging into your official PayPal account or calling PayPal's published customer service number from their official website. Remember that 1800 959 673 is not a PayPal number and should never be called in response to any PayPal-related SMS.

Frequently Asked Questions