- Scam
SMS scam alert: 38099849780 sends fake PayPal support messages with spoofed Australian callback numbers. European country code indicates fraud.
PayPal Impersonation SMS from 38099849780
A contributor has reported receiving a suspicious SMS message from 38099849780 claiming to be PayPal support. The message used the generic greeting "Dear PayPal customer" and included a spoofed Australian callback number (1800318135) to create false legitimacy. The 38 country code on 38099849780 is a significant red flag, as it indicates the message originated from Romania rather than Australia, despite the Australian-looking callback number embedded in the content.
This pattern is characteristic of international phishing scams targeting Australian consumers. The use of 38099849780 to distribute impersonation SMS messages suggests coordinated fraud activity designed to harvest PayPal credentials or personal information from recipients.
What the SMS from 38099849780 Claims
The contributor who received the message from 38099849780 noted that the SMS impersonated PayPal customer support and included a call-back number formatted as an Australian 1800 service number. This technique attempts to create false trust by combining a generic corporate greeting with local contact details. The mismatch between the European origin (38099849780) and the Australian callback number is a deliberate deception tactic designed to evade initial suspicion.
The contributor also noted they do not have an active PayPal account, which further confirms this was a mass-distribution phishing campaign rather than a targeted message based on actual customer records.
Why This Number is Dangerous
The combination of impersonation and link-to-website tactics in messages from 38099849780 creates multiple fraud risks. Recipients who click embedded links or call the provided number risk:
- Credential theft - entering PayPal login details into fake websites
- Payment fraud - unauthorised transactions from compromised accounts
- Identity theft - personal and financial information harvesting
- Device compromise - malware installation from malicious links in SMS from 38099849780
What to Do If You Receive an SMS from 38099849780
If you receive an SMS from 38099849780 or similar international numbers claiming to be from PayPal or other Australian services:
- Do not: Click any links or attachments in messages from 38099849780, call the provided callback number, or reply to the message
- Do not: Enter any personal, financial, or login information in response to unsolicited SMS
- Do: Delete the message immediately
- Do: Block 38099849780 in your phone settings
- Do: Contact PayPal or the relevant organisation directly using official contact details from their verified website or your account statements - never use numbers provided in unsolicited messages
- Do: Report the SMS as spam to your mobile provider
- Do: Forward the message to 0429 999 888 (ACMA spam reporting)
How to Report 38099849780
If you have received SMS messages from 38099849780 impersonating PayPal or other organisations:
- Report to ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) at acma.gov.au - the regulator responsible for investigating telecom fraud
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au - the Australian Consumer Law enforcement resource
- Report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au - for phishing and online fraud
- Report to your mobile provider - request they block 38099849780 and investigate the source
- If PayPal or another service is impersonated, report directly to that organisation's fraud team using verified contact details from their official website
- Report to Reverseau by sharing your experience - community reports help other Australians identify emerging threats from 38099849780 and similar numbers
Help others by sharing your experience with 38099849780!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Received a message from this number supposedly from PayPal support with attached Australian call back number (1800318135), didn't answer / call back as it appears to be a spoofed number from somewhere in Europe (38 country code which is a fed flag). Said Dear PayPal customer which is also a red flag in itself, to top it off I don't do PayPal at all.
Help others by sharing your experience with 38099849780!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
Why is 38099849780 sending SMS messages that look like they're from PayPal?
The 38 country code indicates 38099849780 originates in Romania, not Australia. Scammers use international numbers combined with spoofed Australian callback numbers to bypass initial suspicion. The generic "Dear PayPal customer" greeting and mass-distribution approach confirm this is a phishing campaign designed to trick Australian consumers into revealing login credentials or financial information.
Is the Australian callback number (1800318135) in the SMS from 38099849780 real?
No. The contributor who received the message from 38099849780 correctly identified this as a spoofed number. Scammers include fake Australian numbers to create false legitimacy. Never call numbers provided in unsolicited SMS messages. Instead, contact PayPal or your bank using verified contact details from your official account or their website.
What should I do if I already clicked a link or replied to SMS from 38099849780?
If you clicked a link in a message from 38099849780, change your PayPal password immediately using a trusted device and computer. If you entered any personal or financial information, contact PayPal's verified fraud team directly and consider placing fraud alerts with Australian banks. Monitor your accounts closely for unauthorised activity and report the incident to ACMA at acma.gov.au.
Can I block 38099849780 on my phone?
Yes. Add 38099849780 to your phone's blocked number list. However, blocking this specific number is only a temporary measure - scammers often use multiple phone numbers. The more effective approach is to report 38099849780 to ACMA and your mobile provider so they can investigate the source and prevent similar messages from reaching other Australians.
Why do scammers use European country codes like the 38 in 38099849780?
European country codes like 38099849780 help scammers evade detection because Australian consumers may not immediately recognise them as foreign numbers. By combining an international origin (38099849780) with spoofed Australian callback details, scammers create confusion that delays suspicion. This is why checking the country code on 38099849780 - even before reading the message content - is an important safety step.
Should I report 38099849780 if I didn't click the link or call back?
Yes. Reporting 38099849780 to ACMA (acma.gov.au) and Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) helps authorities track the scam campaign and protect other Australians from receiving similar messages. You can also report to your mobile provider and contribute your experience to Reverseau so the community knows about this threat from 38099849780.