Avoid PayPal Scammers: Digital payment systems like PayPal are more popular than ever, and scammers are following the money. Here’s what you can do to guard against them.
With more than 400 million users and counting, PayPal is an attractive target for scammers. Many online scams that involve payment apps—including Cash App scams, Venmo scams and Zelle scams—bank on the fact that users don’t understand how these services work or use them carelessly, leaving users vulnerable to bad actors looking to steal their money, financial information and more.
That doesn’t mean you need to delete your PayPal account, though. You can still take advantage of all the features PayPal has to offer by using it smartly and knowing how to spot the signs of a scam. To help you do just that, we got the download from cybersecurity experts on what PayPal scams to look out for and how to avoid them.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is an all-in-one digital payment platform that offers an alternative to traditional banking methods. To create a PayPal account, users must first link their bank accounts or credit cards to the system. From there, they can log in through their computer or smart device and make purchases from third-party retailers, accept payments and deposits, or transfer money or cryptocurrency between accounts.
Can you get scammed with PayPal?
Unfortunately, it is all too easy for scammers to steal your money or financial information through PayPal. “There are different scams and fraud attempts deployed by identity criminals trying to steal your money, financial information and more” on PayPal’s platform, according to Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center.
What are some common PayPal scams?
While scammers can be sneaky and convincing, their scams also tend to have some common themes that make them easier to identify. Here are some of the most prevalent.
Order confirmation scam
In the majority of PayPal-related scams, scammers use phishing emails to impersonate PayPal. Here’s how this one works: Criminals will create a fake or “spoofed” email address that appears to be from PayPal. Then they will send you an email that looks like an order confirmation for a recent purchase. You will be asked to check the status of your order by logging in to your account through a link included in the message.
These phishing emails take many different forms, but “what remains the same each time is what the criminal is ultimately after,” says Karim Hijazi, CEO of the cybersecurity company Prevailion and former contractor for the U.S. intelligence community. “They want to steal your PayPal login credentials by tricking you into signing into your account through a spoofed web page.” Once the scammer captures your login information, they can use it to log in to your account and make purchases, withdraw money or carry out a doxxing attack, among a host of other things.
Fake fraud alert scam
Beware of unsolicited text messages that look like fraud alert notifications from PayPal. Known as “smishing” attacks, these fake fraud alerts are tough to spot because no two messages are the same. Some might warn that someone is trying to access your account, while others will report suspicious activity on your profile. “There is a wide range of fake alerts that scammers will use, and every one of them will be different,” says Hijazi.
While PayPal does send text messages or emails for one-time login codes or two-factor authentication, receiving a PayPal notification unexpectedly is a sign that you might be dealing with a scam. The text may appear to come from a legitimate PayPal phone number, but the link in the message could actually take you to a fake PayPal login page that steals account details like your password when you try to enter them. Clicking on the link could also accidentally download malware that allows someone to spy on your iPhone, so make sure to delete any phony texts as soon as you receive them.
Unsolicited payment or transfer request scam
Before accepting an unexpected payment or transfer request on PayPal, take a close look at the message. Some scammers create profiles that impersonate real people or businesses—even going so far as to steal their usernames and profile pictures.
You should report the scam to PayPal if you end up accepting the scammer’s request and sending them money. However, PayPal can’t guarantee that you will receive a refund. That’s why you should avoid getting scammed in the first place by always initiating transactions and never accepting unsolicited payment or transfer requests on PayPal, Velasquez says.
Password reset request scam
Received a password reset notification from PayPal out of the blue? Don’t click any links in the text message or email, Hamerstone says. Instead, log in directly through PayPal’s app or website through your browser and change your password immediately, in case your account has been hacked.
Scammers often create fake password reset alerts that appear to be from PayPal too. By clicking a link attached to the text message or email, you could accidentally share your login credentials with scammers or download malware. Beefing up your iPhone security and checking these iPhone privacy settings can protect you if a hacker gains access to your smartphone.
Fake charity scam
Another common PayPal scam uses fake charities to solicit donations from unsuspecting users. The fraudster will create a webpage for a phony charity organization, then contact victims asking for donations via PayPal. Although they may share forged confirmation emails or receipts to make it appear as though the transaction is legitimate, in reality, they have already taken off with your money. These fake charity sites are getting more convincing, but there are ways to spot fake donation scams so you don’t fall victim going forward.
Promotional offer scam
Like fake fraud alerts or order confirmation emails, this scam relies on a spoofed email address or phone number that makes their message appear to be from PayPal. The message notifies users that they have qualified for a promotional offer and money has been deposited into their account. Ultimately, the scammer is hoping to trick the user into entering their PayPal login credentials on a fake webpage or clicking an attachment that infects their phone with a virus.
Refund request scam
Receiving a random PayPal transfer is not always an honest mistake. In fact, scammers often use this trick to fool you into giving them money. The fraudster might use the stolen financial information from a hacked PayPal account to transfer several hundred dollars to your account, then send you a message saying: “Oops! Can you send that back?” The money that you send goes to the criminal’s personal card—which they have added to the fake account—and the stolen funds are removed from your account.
Overpayment scam
Turns out, everyday users are not the only victims of PayPal scams; criminals target sellers and retailers through PayPal too. For example, a fraudster will overpay for an item using a fake or stolen credit card or bank account number, then contact the seller to ask them to return the overpaid amount, usually to a different account than the one they used to make the initial payment. Once they get the money back, the scammer will contact PayPal to cancel the original transaction, leaving the seller out of both their product and payment.
Shipping address scam
When you sell something online, always verify the address where you are shipping the item. Some scammers will purchase goods through PayPal but give the seller an invalid delivery address. After the shipping company marks the package as undeliverable, the buyer will contact the shipping company to change the address and request a refund from PayPal on the undelivered order. Retailers also should watch out for brushing scams when selling products online.
Hacked account scam
If a cybercriminal learns the login credentials and gains access to a PayPal account through a phishing attack, they can use that account to scam other users as well. They may transfer funds to your PayPal account as payment for a product or service, but after they receive the product, the money disappears from your account. More than likely, PayPal withdrew the money after getting word that the account was hacked.
How do I avoid getting scammed on PayPal?
Let’s be honest: Cybercriminals will never stop trying to scam you. But there are some steps you can take to protect yourself against future PayPal scams. Experts recommend following these tips to outsmart scammers.
Always initiate transactions on PayPal. If you receive a request for money, do not accept it until you verify that it is legitimate.
Never click on any links or attachments or respond to any unexpected messages from PayPal. Instead, reach out to PayPal directly to confirm that the message is real.
Look for generic greetings, typos or incorrect grammar in messages from PayPal, which could be red flags of a scam.
To find out whether an email message is actually from PayPal, click the “view source” or “open original” button in your email account. This will show the full header and routing details for the email you received. Find the line item in the header called “return-path,” which tells you whether the email you received came from PayPal or a fake email address. A phony sender’s address might be scrambled or off by one or two letters.
Never log in to your PayPal account through a link that is shared with you via email, text message or other means. Instead, log in directly from your web browser or app.
Rather than calling a phone number that has been provided to you in a message from PayPal, contact PayPal directly by looking up its publicly listed phone number.
Never share your account information, including passwords, bank account or payment card information, by email or over the phone.
If you receive a fake or suspicious email or text message, report it to PayPal at spoof@paypal.com.
Regularly monitor your PayPal account for suspicious activity, and contact PayPal if you notice anything unusual.
Create a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication to prevent hackers from accessing your PayPal account.
Use spam filters to block emails and stop spam texts going forward.
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my site to rank for some targeted
keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Appreciate it! You can read
similar blog here: Eco product
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your site,
how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account
helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast
provided brilliant clear concept
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to
get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing
very good results. If you know of any please share.
Appreciate it! You can read similar text here:
Change your life
That is a really good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing
this one. A must read post!
Hi there, this weekend is fastidious designed for me, because this point in time i am reading this impressive informative article here
at my residence.
I am genuinely happy to glance at this webpage posts which includes plenty of
valuable data, thanks for providing these kinds of information.
What’s up to all, the contents existing at this web page are in fact awesome for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.
Good way of explaining, and fastidious article to obtain information concerning my presentation subject, which i am going
to convey in college.
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different
subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
Hello very cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark
your web site and take the feeds also? I am satisfied to find numerous useful information here in the
put up, we need develop extra strategies on this regard, thank
you for sharing. . . . . .
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox
and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same
comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Thanks!
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted
to mention that I have really loved browsing your weblog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing on your rss feed and I’m hoping you
write once more soon!
Keep on writing, great job!
I take pleasure in, cause I found just what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
You made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views
on this web site.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the
next!
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article post. I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
An interesting discussion is worth comment.
I do believe that you should write more on this
issue, it might not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t discuss these topics.
To the next! Best wishes!!
Heya are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to
get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details.
I do trust all of the ideas you have introduced to your post.
They’re very convincing and will definitely work.
Still, the posts are too quick for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time?
Thank you for the post.
Your style is very unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting!
I seriously enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and may
come back in the future. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice morning!
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your
affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Fastidious response in return of this matter with real arguments and
explaining all concerning that.
Hi there, There’s no doubt that your web site could possibly be
having internet browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks
fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent blog!
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you
who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of
the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
whoah this weblog is fantastic i really like reading your posts.
Stay up the good work! You understand, many individuals are hunting around for this
information, you could help them greatly.
I was excited to find this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!!
I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you book-marked to
see new stuff in your site.
Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything is existing on web?
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to understand a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I believe that you can do with a few p.c. to drive the message
home a bit, but instead of that, that is magnificent blog.
An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, as well as the content!
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This article posted at this web page is actually nice.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this
site needs far more attention. I’ll probably
be back again to read through more, thanks
for the information!
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this website
on regular basis to obtain updated from most up-to-date news update.
Currently it seems like WordPress is the top blogging platform out there right
now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are
using on your blog?
Hi there! This blog post could not be written any better!
Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this post to him.
Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!
Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to this good piece of writing.
I take pleasure in, cause I discovered just what I used to be having a look for.
You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
This is really attention-grabbing, You are a very
skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for in the hunt for extra of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
I always used to read paragraph in news papers but
now as I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for
posts, thanks to web.
excellent points altogether, you simply gained a logo new reader.
What might you suggest about your post that you just made some
days in the past? Any positive?
Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re
using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems
different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Asking questions are in fact nice thing if you are not understanding anything completely, however
this post gives good understanding yet.
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your site is very useful.
Thank you for sharing!
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am actually
pleassant to read all at single place.
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any tips for novice blog writers? I’d genuinely
appreciate it.
I got this site from my pal who shared with me concerning this website and now this time I am visiting this web site and
reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.
When some one searches for his vital thing, therefore he/she
wishes to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never
found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Heya this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if
blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually
code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have
no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually understand
what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =).
We may have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us
Your way of telling the whole thing in this article is in fact nice, every
one be capable of easily understand it, Thanks a lot.
What’s up, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every
one is sharing data, that’s really fine, keep up writing.
Valuable information. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I am stunned why this twist of fate
did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
Hi, all is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really excellent,
keep up writing.
Wow, this post is pleasant, my sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going
to convey her.
Hi there just wanted to give you a brief
heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the idea of a user
in his/her mind that how a user can understand it.
Thus that’s why this article is amazing. Thanks!
Unquestionably believe that which you said.
Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware
of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they just
do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without
having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get
more. Thanks
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the other person’s webpage link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also
do similar in favor of you.
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s webpage link on your page
at appropriate place and other person will also do same in support of you.
Hello! I just want to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you’ve got here
on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.
hello!,I like your writing so a lot! share we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL?
I require an expert in this area to resolve
my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look forward to
peer you.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future.
All the best
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through
many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly pleased
I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent
post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS.
I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody having the
same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way,
how can we communicate?
Awesome post.
As the admin of this site is working, no hesitation very soon it will be
well-known, due to its feature contents.
My family members every time say that I am killing my time here at web, except I know I am
getting experience daily by reading thes nice content.