The Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal Invoice Scam Explained
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Have you received an email claiming you owe money to a company called “Universal Coaching Consultants” for an order you never placed? This is the latest sneaky phishing scam attempting to steal money and personal information from PayPal users.
This detailed guide will help you recognize, avoid, and recover from the Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal invoice phishing scam. Learn how to protect yourself and your hard-earned money.
This article contains:
Overview of a New Phishing Scam Targeting Unsuspecting PayPal Users
Like many phishing scams, it starts with an email pretending to come from PayPal. The message claims you purchased a high-ticket item and now owe an invoice to Universal Coaching Consultants.
You’re provided a customer support number and threatened with account suspension if you don’t pay immediately. However, the order never happened, and the seller doesn’t exist.
Calling the number routes you to skilled scammers posing as PayPal agents. Using social engineering and manipulation, they’ll convince you to pay the fake invoice via wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, remote access software, or other irreversible means.
Once the payment is sent, the scammers disappear with your money or steal your identity. Victims rarely recover losses when deceived into willingly sending money or access.
This guide will equip you to recognize this new scam and avoid being manipulated into rapidly paying fake invoices from Universal Coaching Consultants or other fictional sellers.
How the Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal Invoice Scam Works
Here are the typical steps fraudsters follow with this scam:
You receive an email with PayPal branding claiming a high-value purchase was made using your account. The message states you now owe an invoice to Universal Coaching Consultants.
The email instills urgency by threatening account suspension within 24 hours if you don’t pay. A customer service number is provided to “resolve the issue.”
Calling the number reaches an actual person – the scammer. They pose as a PayPal agent and confirm you need to pay the invoice immediately.
The scammer pressures you to pay the invoice right away via wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, Zelle, Venmo, or allowing remote access to your computer.
If remote access is granted, the scammer downloads malware to steal login and financial data from your computer.
Once payment is sent, the scammers cut contact. You lose the money, plus open yourself to identity theft.
You later realize it was a scam, but the damage is already done. The payments or account access can rarely be reversed once completed.
Here are some specific techniques the scammers use over the phone to trick victims:
They pretend to look up your account and “confirm” the purchase is legitimate.
They reference the company name Universal Coaching Consultants as if they’re a real, known business.
They claim the fastest way to avoid account suspension is sending a direct bank transfer, gift card payment, or crypto deposit.
They offer to “guide you” to buy gift cards, take remote computer access, or log into your bank account so they can “process the payment.”
If you become skeptical, they use high-pressure threats about your account being frozen.
Remember: no legitimate PayPal agent will demand immediate payment via hard-to-reverse methods and threaten account suspension. This is always a scam tactic.
Recognizing the Telltale Signs of the Universal Coaching Consultants Scam
While the criminals try to convince you the invoice is real, their amateur tactics expose the truth upon closer inspection.
Learn to watch for these signs that an email is a Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal phishing scam:
No “from” address or a spoofed one – The sender address doesn’t end in @paypal.com. It may be spelt deceptively similar.
Typos, grammar issues, or awkward wording – Phishing emails are rife with spelling and formatting mistakes.
Aggressive threats to suspend your account – PayPal doesn’t make severe threats over a single unpaid invoice.
Request for unusual payment methods – PayPal primarily accepts direct payments. Gift cards, crypto, Zelle, etc. are never required.
You didn’t make any related purchase – If you know you didn’t buy anything associated with coaching or consulting services, it’s fake.
The transaction doesn’t appear in your account – Log into your real PayPal account. If there’s no record of the supposed invoice, it doesn’t exist.
The customer service number is non-standard or fake – Call PayPal directly through their official website to verify strange numbers.
Research shows no legitimate business – Search online for “Universal Coaching Consultants LLC.” You’ll find no actual company, just scam reports.
With vigilance, recipients can spot the signs of a counterfeit invoice. But if you’re uncertain, reach out to PayPal directly through their official customer service channels to verify strange emails. Don’t call numbers, click links, or reply.
What to Do if You Receive the Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal Email Scam
If a suspicious email about owing an invoice to Universal Coaching Consultants arrives in your inbox, take the following recommended steps:
Don’t click any links or call phone numbers – This risks downloading malware onto your device or routing your call to scammers.
Forward the email to spoof@paypal.com – PayPal reviews reported phishing attempts to improve detection and protect customers.
Scan devices for malware – Run a thorough antivirus scan to uncover any malware installed from prior phishing emails. Reset all account passwords as a precaution.
Place warnings on financial accounts – Alert your bank and credit card companies about the phishing attempt and closely monitor transactions for fraud.
Report the scam – File reports about the email with the FTC and IC3 to aid law enforcement in combating these crimes.
Increase scam awareness – Unfortunately, being targeted once makes you more likely to be targeted again. Be extra vigilant about spotting scam red flags going forward.
Steps to Take if You Already Paid a Fake Universal Coaching Consultants Invoice
If you fell victim and made a payment to the scammers, act quickly to limit the damage:
Contact PayPal – Report the scam to PayPal’s fraud department immediately. Provide the phishing email and any transaction details. Getting ahead of it can improve chances for recovering lost money.
Notify your bank – If you paid via bank wire, call your bank’s fraud hotline as soon as possible. Wire transfers can potentially be reversed if caught fast enough.
Limit account access – Change your PayPal password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. Monitor account activity closely for further misuse.
Cancel affected payment methods – Contact your credit card company or payment apps used like Venmo or Zelle to halt further fraudulent charges.
Run antivirus scans – If you entered sensitive information or allowed remote access, thoroughly scan devices for malware and change passwords accordingly.
File complaints – Report the fraud to the FTC and IC3 with all available details to assist investigations targeting the scammers.
Unfortunately, most victims aren’t able to get their losses returned once scammed into willingly making a payment. Don’t wait to take action if targeted, as your window to limit damage is small.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal Invoice Scam
1. What is the Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal invoice scam?
The Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal invoice scam is a phishing scam where victims receive a fake email claiming they owe money to a company called “Universal Coaching Consultants” for an order never placed. The email states you must pay the invoice immediately or your PayPal account will be suspended. It provides a customer support number that routes to a scammer posing as a PayPal agent. They pressure and manipulate victims into paying the fake invoice via wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, remote access software, Zelle, Venmo or other non-reversible means. Once sent, the scammers disappear with your money and sensitive data.
2. What are some tactics the scammers use on the phone?
The fraudsters who answer the phone number pretend to look up your account and confirm the invoice is real. They reference Universal Coaching Consultants as if it’s a legitimate, known business. They insist the fastest way to avoid suspension is paying immediately via bank wire, gift card, crypto, or granting remote access, which allows them to steal your data. If you become skeptical, they use aggressive threats about freezing your account.
3. What are signs to recognize the Universal Coaching Consultants scam emails?
Warning signs include a spoofed sender address, typos/grammar issues, threats about account suspension, requests for unusual payment types, referencing an order you never placed, the transaction not appearing in your PayPal account, and an unfamiliar customer service number. Also, “Universal Coaching Consultants” is a fake business name used only for this scam.
4. What should I do if I receive the fake invoice email?
Do not click any links or call the number provided. Forward the email to spoof@paypal.com. Run antivirus scans on your devices in case of malware. Place warnings on your financial accounts to watch for fraud. Report the scam attempt to the FTC and IC3.
5. What steps should I take if I already paid a fake Universal Coaching Consultants invoice?
Immediately contact PayPal and your bank to report the fraud, restrict further account access, cancel affected payment methods, run antivirus scans for malware, change passwords, and file complaints with the FTC and IC3. Act quickly, as chances to recover losses decrease over time.
6. How can I avoid PayPal phishing scams moving forward?
Carefully inspect all PayPal emails for spoofing red flags. Never call unverified numbers or click suspicious links. Know legitimate PayPal payment methods – they will never require unusual payments like gift cards, crypto, Zelle etc. Verify referenced transactions by logging into your PayPal account directly prior to taking action.
7. What is the top thing to remember about the Universal Coaching Consultants scam?
The most important takeaway is to never react quickly to demands for payment, even if they threaten to suspend your account. Carefully verify emails, transactions, numbers, and payment methods being requested to recognize scam red flags. Legitimate companies will not insist you pay immediately in irreversible ways.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Scammers Fool You Into Paying Fake Invoices
The Universal Coaching Consultants PayPal invoice phishing scam shows that scammers are always coming up with new tactics to steal from unsuspecting victims.
This guide provided an in-depth look at how the scam works, techniques the fraudsters use, signs to recognize phishing attempts, and steps to take if targeted or already victimized.
The most important takeaway is to never react quickly or rashly to demands for payment, even if they claim your account will be frozen. Carefully scrutinize any PayPal email, double-check sender addresses, verify transactions, and only call numbers listed on the official website.
Legitimate businesses will never insist you pay immediately via irreversible methods like gift cards, Zelle, crypto, or remote access software. Recognizing these red flags protects you from losing money or access to your PayPal account.
PayPal does make mistakes on occasion, but they will provide reasonable timeframes and payment methods to resolve issues. Scammers rely on manufactured urgency and threats to bypass your critical thinking in hopes of easy money.
Stay vigilant for new versions of the Universal Coaching Consultants scam and other phishing attempts going forward. Now that you understand their devious tricks, you can keep control of your hard-earned money and shut down these fraudsters. Don’t become another victim!
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 Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
