PayPal Scam Alert: 15 Ways You Could Lose Money in Seconds
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
PayPal is one of the most popular online payment services, with over 325 million active accounts worldwide. While PayPal provides a convenient way to send and receive money online, it has also become a target for scammers trying to steal users’ money and personal information. This article will explain what PayPal scams are, how to recognize them, and steps you can take to avoid falling victim and get your money back if you do get scammed.
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Can You Get Scammed on PayPal?
Yes, absolutely. PayPal scams are quite common, with millions of users targeted every year. Scammers use clever social engineering tactics to manipulate users into willingly sending money or providing personal information. Other times, scammers gain unauthorized access to accounts to steal money directly.
No payment service is completely scam-proof. But there are precautions you can take to minimize your risk when using PayPal. Being aware of the most common PayPal scams and learning to spot red flags can help keep your account secure.
What is a PayPal Scam?
A PayPal scam is any attempt by a scammer or fraudster to steal money from a PayPal account holder. This is done through phishing, social engineering, spoofing, account takeovers, fake payments, and other deceptive tactics. The primary goals are to trick users into:
Sending money to the scammer’s account
Providing login credentials so the scammer can access the account directly
Installing malware that gives the scammer access to financial information
Scammers may pretend to be from PayPal customer support, claim there is a problem with your account, or pose as a buyer or seller to get payments. If successful, the scammer vanishes after stealing your money, leaving you no way to get it back.
Top 15 Common PayPal Scams to Watch Out For
PayPal is one of the most popular services for sending and receiving money online. However, with widespread use comes the attention of scammers. Stay vigilant against these 13 sneaky PayPal scams designed to steal your money and personal information.
1. Overpayment Scam
In an overpayment scam, a scammer posing as a buyer will purchase your item through PayPal and purposefully send more money than you are asking for. For example, if you are selling a used iPhone for $100, the scammer may send you $150.
Scam Example: You list an iPhone for sale on Craigslist for $100. A buyer messages you and sends $150 via PayPal for it. Afterwards, they message saying they accidentally sent an extra $50 and ask you to please refund that amount to their bank account rather than through PayPal.
Shortly after paying, the scammer will contact you claiming they accidentally sent too much money. They will request that you refund the difference, often asking you to send it to a different bank account, gift card, or non-PayPal address that they control.
You refund the difference as requested, thinking nothing of it. However, later the scammer disputes the original payment to PayPal, getting the entire $150 reversed. Since you already refunded $50, you are now out $50 as well as your phone.
How to Spot This Scam: Transactions involving overpayments and requests to refund the difference are almost always scams. Legitimate buyers will never overpay accidentally.
How to Avoid: Never refund payments to outside sources – only back to the original transaction within PayPal. If a buyer overpays, cancel the whole transaction.
2. Fake Account Verification Scam
In this scam, the fraudster sends you a phishing email pretending to be from PayPal. The email may claim you need to verify your account, update your security settings, or reset your password due to suspicious activity.
Scam Example: You receive an email from “service@paypa1l.com” saying your PayPal account has been locked due to suspicious activity. To unlock it, you need to click a link to confirm your identity.
When you click the links within the email, you are directed to realistic but fake pages designed to collect your PayPal login credentials. Armed with your username and password, the scammers can then access and drain your PayPal account.
How to Spot This Scam: PayPal will never email you out of the blue regarding account security concerns. Carefully inspect the sender address – it is rarely from a real @paypal.com domain.
How to Avoid: Never click links within unexpected emails. If concerned, manually navigate to the PayPal website and log in to view any account alerts.
3. Shipping Address Scam
Fraudsters take advantage of PayPal’s Seller Protection Policy in this scam. When purchasing an item from you, they will provide an incorrect shipping address different from the one linked to their PayPal account.
Scam Example: A buyer with a PayPal shipping address in Florida purchases your eBay item. After paying, they message asking you to instead ship the item to their cousin in New York and provide that address.
After you ship the package, they then intercept it from the shipper by contacting them and redirecting it to their real address. They claim to PayPal they never received the item and file a claim to get their money back.
PayPal is more likely to refund them since the address on the transaction doesn’t match the shipping address. You lose both the item and payment.
How to Spot This Scam: Buyers suddenly changing shipping address or requesting an address change after purchasing should raise red flags.
How to Avoid: Only ship items to the confirmed PayPal shipping address on the transaction details page within your account. Never send items based on messages or shipping label changes.
4. Fake Payment Confirmation Scam
As a seller, the fake payment confirmation scam attempts to trick you into thinking a payment has been sent for your sold goods. You receive an email or fake PayPal payment receipt indicating a buyer has sent you money.
Scam Example: Selling concert tickets on Craigslist, you get an email saying “You’ve received $200 from JohnSmith@email.com.” Believing you were paid, you email the buyer the ticket codes. Later you see no payment in your account.
Believing you have been paid, you ship the item to the buyer. However, when you check your account later, you see no payment was actually made.
How to Spot This Scam: Fake payment confirmations often contain spelling errors, strange email addresses, or ask you to ship to a different address.
How to Avoid: Never trust any emailed payment confirmations. Always log in to your PayPal account to confirm new payments before shipping items.
5. Advance Fee Scam
In an advance fee scam, a scammer guarantees you a large amount of money (such as lottery winnings, an inheritance, grant money, etc.) if you first send a smaller upfront payment. This is usually to “process” the transfer or as a deposit.
You send the money as requested, but the large payment never arrives. The scammers take the upfront “fee” you sent and disappear. Any follow up correspondence is met with excuses asking for even more money.
Scam Example: You get an email claiming you’ve won a $5,000,000 Spanish lottery. To claim your prize money, you need to pay $5,000 upfront for taxes and transfer fees. You pay the $5,000, but never receive information about your “winnings.”
How to Spot This Scam: It’s nearly impossible to receive large sums of money out of the blue from strangers or foreign businesses. Upfront fees should never be required.
How to Avoid: Reject improbable offers that require you to pay money or provide personal details before receiving payment. Only send money for legitimate purchases.
6. Smishing Scam
Smishing scams involve utilizing SMS text messages to execute phishing attacks. You may receive a text impersonating PayPal claiming there is suspicious activity on your account. The message provides a “customer support” number to call or links to fake account login pages.
If you call, scammers posing as PayPal agents attempt to gain remote access or trick you into providing your PayPal username and password. Entering your login credentials on their fake pages also gives them access.
Scam Example: You get a text saying your PayPal account was hacked and to call an 800 number immediately to verify your identity or the account will be frozen. When you call, they gain remote access to your computer or convince you to log in to a fake PayPal page.
How to Spot This Scam: PayPal would never contact you unsolicited via text message. Watch for odd links, urgent threats of account suspension, or requests for login details.
How to Avoid: Do not click links in text messages and avoid calling unfamiliar numbers mentioned. Instead, access PayPal directly through their website or official mobile app.
7. Fake Promotional Offers
In this scam, fraudsters send text messages or emails pretending to be PayPal or partner businesses with fake offers, contests, or giveaways. For example, an email might claim you can receive a $500 Walmart gift card by clicking a link.
The links direct to third-party websites riddled with malware downloads that infect your device. In other cases, they obtain your personal information which can lead to identity theft.
Scam Example: You get a text saying “PayPal – Congrats! Your account has been selected for a $1000 cash bonus! Click here to claim your reward!” When you click the link, it asks you to enter credit card and personal details to claim the fake bonus.
How to Spot This Scam: If an offer seems too good to be true, it always is. PayPal does not contact users with random special offers.
How to Avoid: PayPal advises users not to open text messages or click email links from unknown senders. Avoid entering your information on outside websites.
8. Hacked Account Scam
Cybercriminals who manage to hack a PayPal account can steal the username and password to gain full access. Once inside your account, they are free to make purchases, send money to other accounts they control, and drain your full balance.
Scam Example: After a data breach, your email and passwords were sold online. Hackers log in to your PayPal account and send themselves money from your balance. You notice $500 in unauthorized transfers to email addresses you don’t recognize.
How to Spot This Scam: You may notice unusual account activity, login alerts from unrecognized devices, or money sent without your authorization.
How to Avoid: Always use unique complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication for your PayPal account. Monitor your transaction history frequently for unauthorized activity.
9. Friends & Family Payment Scam
PayPal’s Friends & Family feature allows you to send and receive money without fees. However, it does not offer buyer or seller protections if there is a problem. Scammers often insist buyers pay this way to avoid losing dispute rights.
You pay as Friends & Family and receive nothing in return or a different item than agreed upon. Without buyer protection, you have no recourse to get your money back from PayPal.
Scam Example: You buy concert tickets on Craigslist and the seller asks you to pay via Friends & Family. After paying $200 this way, the tickets never arrive and the seller stops responding. PayPal says they cannot help recover your money since it was a Friends payment.
How to Spot This Scam: Any buyer refusing regular PayPal payments and pushing for Friends & Family instead is suspicious. Only use this feature with trusted friends you personally know.
How to Avoid: Never pay unfamiliar sellers using Friends & Family, always choose Goods and Services Transactions so you can dispute issues later.
10. Payment Pending Scam
In this scam, interested buyers express interest in an item you are selling online. After negotiating details, they claim payment has been sent to you via PayPal but remains “pending” before clearing to your account.
Since pending payments may take some time to finalize, they ask you to ship the item now with tracking details, so they can be sure you shipped before issuing the (fake) payment. Once shipped, the scammer disappears without having paid anything.
Scam Example: A buyer on eBay says they paid for your item and it is pending. They ask you to provide the tracking number so they can verify it was shipped. Trusting them, you ship the item after providing the tracking info. The pending payment never completes.
How to Spot This Scam: Hard commitments to buy without seeing proof of payment in your account are red flags of a scam. Legitimate buyers will never push you to ship before payment clears.
How to Avoid: Never ship items until the PayPal payment is in your account fully, not pending. Check your account balance directly for confirmation, tracking details can always be sent later.
11. Vishing Scam
Vishing scams start with an email alerting you that suspicious activity on your PayPal account was detected. It provides a “support” number to call to cancel the activity and secure your account.
If you call, scammers posing as PayPal agents answer and gained your trust. During the call, they try to get you to provide personal information or account access in the guise of “helping.” With that data, they can compromise your account.
Scam Example: After getting a “fraud alert” email from PayPal, you call the number provided. The agent who answers asks you to log into your account on a website that looks like PayPal to “resolve the issue.” You enter your info, allowing them to steal your credentials.
How to Spot This Scam: PayPal would not request sensitive data over the phone unsolicited. The number provided is not their real support line.
How to Avoid: Do not call numbers in suspicious emails. Log in to PayPal directly to check any account alerts instead of trusting emails or callers.
12. Fake Charity Scam
Using the guise of a charitable organization, scammers prey on your generosity after natural disasters, crises, or tragic events to solicit “donations.” They create genuine-looking websites impersonating real charities to collect payments.
Rather than aiding victims, your money lands in the scammer’s pockets. By mimicking well-known charities they rely on victims making hasty unvetted donations.
Scam Example: After a hurricane, you get a call requesting Red Cross donations. You rush to the website provided and donate $500, later finding out it was a fake site unaffiliated with Red Cross.
How to Spot This Scam: Research organizations independently before donating money. Watch for recently created copycat websites with slightly different names than reputable charities.
How to Avoid: Always verify legitimate charitable organizations through third-party charity evaluator sites like Charity Navigator. Avoid donating to newly established groups.
13. Fake Refund Scam
In this scam, victims receive an unsolicited PayPal payment from an unknown sender. Shortly after, you will be contacted by the sender saying the money was sent accidentally and they need it refunded immediately.
If you refund their “accidental” payment, you later learn the money they sent originally was from a compromised account. When the rightful owner reverses it, you are out the funds you refunded from your own pocket.
Scam Example: You receive a $500 PayPal payment from an unknown email address. The sender messages you saying it was sent to the wrong person in error. Trusting them, you refund the $500. The original payment is then disputed leaving you out $500.
How to Spot This Scam: Money is rarely sent incorrectly by strangers out of the blue. Demands for an immediate refund are suspicious.
How to Avoid: Never refund unsolicited payments to an outside account. Report the payment to PayPal for investigation instead.
14. Invoice Scam
In the invoice scam, victims receive an email with a fake PayPal invoice demanding payment for an unauthorized purchase or service. If the fraudulent invoice is paid, the scammer gets your money.
Scam Example: You receive an email from PayPal with an invoice for $799, stating you bought an iPhone 14 Pro Max. If unpaid in 24 hours, they will freeze your account. Knowing you didn’t buy one, you ignore the fake invoice email.
How to Spot This Scam: Real PayPal invoices come from your account activity only. Watch for demands to pay for unknown purchases or threats to close your account.
How to Avoid: PayPal advises that you should never pay invoices from unknown email addresses. Log in to PayPal directly to view legitimate invoices.
15. Romance Scam
Romance scammers develop online relationships with victims to eventually ask for money. They may claim they want to visit or need help with an emergency and ask victims to send money via PayPal.
Scam Example: An online romantic partner you met claims they want to finally meet you, but need help covering travel costs. They ask you to send $500 via PayPal to book a flight. After receiving the money, all contact ceases.
How to Spot This Scam: Refusals to video chat, requests for money early in a relationship, and talk of future plans before ever meeting are red flags.
How to Avoid: Never send money to someone you only know online, especially if you have never met in person. Avoid giving personal financial information.
Stay vigilant against individuals exploiting PayPal to facilitate fraud. Verify payment confirmations, research charities, enable account security protections, and think twice before providing sensitive information or payments to strangers. Recognizing these 15 PayPal scams can help you avoid becoming the next victim.
Can You Get Your Money Back After Being Scammed on PayPal?
If you do fall victim to a PayPal scam and money is stolen from your account, there are actions you can take to try recovering the funds:
Report the unauthorized activity to PayPal immediately. The quicker you act, the better your chances PayPal can stop fraudulent transfers or freeze the account.
File a dispute through PayPal’s Resolution Center. Provide details on how you were scammed to make your case.
Submit a claim to PayPal’s Buyer Protection program if the payment was for goods/services. You may be covered for up to $20,000.
Call your bank to report the fraud if funds were stolen from a linked bank account. They may be able to reverse transfers.
Request a chargeback from your credit card company for scam payments made via credit card. This starts a process where the bank investigates.
Report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. They work with law enforcement to prosecute scammers.
Alert the FTC about the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The more scam reports they receive, the more resources they devote to stopping the scammers.
The sooner you take action, the better your chances of getting your money back. But there are no guarantees. PayPal will investigate to confirm you took reasonable precautions against being scammed.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Scammed on PayPal?
If you realize you’ve fallen victim to a scam and PayPal funds have been stolen, remain calm and take these steps:
1. Contact PayPal Support – Report the unauthorized activity on your account immediately. Explain how you were scammed. PayPal will walk you through next steps.
2. Change Your Password – If there’s any chance the scammer obtained your password, change it ASAP. Enable 2-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
3. Review Your Account Activity – Log into your account and look for any withdrawals, transfers or payments you didn’t authorize. Note dates, times, amounts and recipient details.
4. Contact Your Bank – If money was stolen from a linked bank account, call the bank to report unauthorized transfers. Ask to reverse the transactions.
5. Watch for Additional Suspicious Activity – Monitor your account closely over the next few weeks for more signs of fraud. Report any new unauthorized charges.
6. File a Police Report – Report the scam to local law enforcement. Give them details on how the scam occurred and any information on the scammer.
7. Place Holds on Your Credit – Consider placing a freeze on your credit report to prevent scammers from opening new accounts.
8. Learn from the Experience – Understand where you were vulnerable to help avoid being targeted by similar scams in the future.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
While PayPal scams are common, there are steps you can take to detect and avoid them:
Use strong unique passwords – Using different complex passwords for all your accounts makes it harder for scammers to hack in. Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
Monitor your account frequently – Log in often to check for suspicious transactions and respond quickly to any unauthorized activity.
Beware of phishing – Don’t click links or call phone numbers sent via unsolicited emails, texts and calls. Phishers use them to steal login credentials and account access.
Verify communication is from PayPal – Scammers spoof PayPal customer support numbers, emails and websites. Confirm all contact is officially from PayPal before providing personal information or account access.
Avoid suspicious links – Only navigate to the PayPal website by typing the URL paypal.com directly into your browser. Don’t follow links promising to resolve account issues. They lead to phishing sites.
Disable automatic payments – Turn off recurring automatic payments to vendors to prevent scammers from placing unapproved repeated charges on your account.
Review transaction details – Carefully inspect payment amounts and recipient details before sending funds to ensure they match who you intend to pay.
Beware overpayments – Never refund payments until they clear legitimately to avoid being scammed by fake fraudulent transactions.
Only ship to confirmed addresses – Verify the shipping address on file matches the recipient before mailing items sold online.
Use PayPal’s Purchase Protection – Enable PayPal Purchase Protection for all eligible transactions over $10 to get refunds if you never receive the item.
FAQs: PayPal Scams
What are some common PayPal scams I should watch out for?
Some major PayPal scams include phishing messages trying to steal your login information, fake payments from “buyers” to take your money or items, overpayment cons asking you to refund them extra money, and account takeovers where scammers drain your PayPal balance after getting access.
How can I tell if a PayPal email or text message is a scam?
Warning signs of PayPal phishing scams include messages from spoofed email addresses,Poor spelling/grammar, urgent threats demanding immediate action, requests for sensitive information like passwords, and links to fake PayPal login pages.
What should I do if I think my PayPal account was compromised?
If you suspect unauthorized access, immediately change your password and enable two-factor authentication. Review account activity for unauthorized transactions and report them to PayPal right away. Consider placing a hold on your credit to prevent new accounts being opened.
Can I get my money back if I was scammed through PayPal?
If you acted reasonably, you can file disputes and claims with PayPal to attempt recovering lost money. Report unauthorized payments from linked bank accounts or credit cards to those institutions to potentially reverse the transactions. The sooner you act, the better your chances.
How can I avoid PayPal scams when buying or selling online?
Only send or accept PayPal payments to/from people you know and trust. Be wary of overpayments when selling. When buying, have items shipped to your confirmed PayPal address and don’t pay just based on seller promises alone.
Are phone calls from PayPal customer support ever scams?
Yes, scammers spoof PayPal numbers to make bogus support calls. Never provide sensitive account information over the phone, even if the rep claims PayPal contacted you about suspicious activity. Hang up and call PayPal directly to verify.
Is it safe to donate to charities through PayPal?
No, fake charities with PayPal accounts are a common scam. Always vet organizations before donating by ensuring they are officially registered non-profits. Give directly through the charity’s site, not via third-party links.
What security measures can prevent PayPal scams?
Using unique complex passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious of phishing links/attachments, keeping software updated, monitoring your account activity, and reporting unauthorized transactions all help keep your PayPal account secure against scammers.
What should I do if I already fell for a PayPal scam?
If you realized you were scammed, contact PayPal immediately to report unauthorized activity. Change your password and enable login notifications. Closely monitor your account and credit reports for further signs of fraud. Unfortunately, recovery of lost money is difficult, so vigilance is key.
Protect Your PayPal Account
PayPal scams succeed by taking advantage of unsuspecting users. But being aware of the deceptive tactics fraudsters use allows you to detect red flags early and avoid falling victim. Never provide your password or other sensitive information to anyone claiming to be PayPal customer support. If in doubt, reach out to PayPal directly through their website or official customer service number to verify the communication is legitimate before taking action.
Enabling security features like two-factor authentication also helps keep your account secure, even if scammers do get your password. Take precautions when clicking links, following security prompts when signing in, and reviewing transactions closely. Report any suspicious activity immediately to improve your chances of recovering lost funds.
While scams are always evolving, staying alert and using common sense when managing your PayPal account can help prevent you from becoming the fraudster’s next victim. Protecting your account security should be your top priority.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
