Have you recently received an email claiming to be from PayPal, saying they’ve sent you a document to review and sign? This scam email is designed to trick you into calling a fake support number, allowing scammers to gain remote access to your computer and steal your personal and financial information. Keep reading to learn more about how this “Docusing” phishing scam works and how to protect yourself.
Overview of the “PayPaI Customer Care Sent You A Document” Docusing Email Scam
The “PayPaI Customer Care Sent You a Document” phishing scam starts with an email designed to look exactly like legitimate correspondence from Docusign. The goal is to trick users into calling a fake support number that actually connects to criminal call centers. If you call, scammers posing as PayPal agents offer to refund fraudulent charges and secure your account, but only if you provide remote access to your computer. This allows them to infect your device with malware, steal personal and financial information, and trick you into buying gift cards under the guise of helping refund your account.
The deceptive email displays the PayPal logo and uses similar colors, formatting, writing style, and sender names as real PayPal alerts. Some examples of fake sender names used include PayPal Support, PayPal Resolution Center, PayPal Customer Service, and other official sounding names.
The subject line always indicates it is regarding a document sent to you by PayPaI Customer Care for review and signature. One example is “PayPaI Customer Care sent you a document to review and sign”.
In the body of the email, the criminals claim to be from PayPal and state they’ve identified an unauthorized transaction from your account. They provide fake but convincing transaction details like the amount charged, the transaction ID code, and date. Some variants state that your account password has been changed by the unauthorized user and you must secure your account immediately.
The email then says to contact the provided phone number if you did not authorize the transaction or change your password. It assures you that their “support agents” will be able to help refund the charge, remove any malware from your system, reset your password, and prevent further unauthorized access.
Of course the number goes directly to a criminal-run support scam call center completely unaffiliated with PayPal. Some versions even include a fake “Click Here” link instead of a phone number which leads to malware download sites or credential harvesting pages.
If you call the number, the fraudsters posing as PayPal agents will ask for your name and account details to pretend to look up your information. After reviewing your “account”, they confirm you’ve been compromised and offer to refund the charge and secure your account if you provide remote access.
Once remote control of your computer is established, the criminals can infect your device with malware, steal account login credentials and passwords stored on your system, access financial information, and even trick you into installing ransomware or sending them money.
This extremely clever social engineering attack allows the scammers to gain the trust of victims by pretending to be from a legitimate company like PayPal. Then they offer help recovering from fraud in exchange for the remote access needed to actually steal personal data and funds.
The criminals may try to pressure you into acting quickly to secure accounts and reverse fraudulent transactions, hoping the time urgency they impose will cause you to overlook the tell-tale signs of their scam. But in reality, no legitimate company will demand immediate remote access to your device without initiating contact first.
How the “PayPaI Customer Care Sent You A Document” Docusing Email Scam Works
Here is a breakdown of how the “Docusign PayPal” phishing scam typically operates:
1. You Receive the Phishing Email
The scam email arrives in your inbox and displays the PayPal logo to look legitimate. The subject line says “Docusing PayPaI Customer Care sent you a document to review and sign”.
The sender name may be something like PayPal Support, PayPal Resolution Center, PayPal Customer Care, etc. The email address often contains the PayPal name.
2. The Email Provides Fake Transaction Details
The body of the email claims to be from PayPal and says they’ve identified an unauthorized transaction from your account. It gives fake details like:
Amount: $412.45
Transaction ID: PC-5193847206-789KMLP
Date: 02/04/2025
It states that if you did not authorize this transaction, you should contact the provided phone number.
Of course, the number does not actually connect you to PayPal support. The scammers simply spoof legitimate PayPal phone numbers to make it more convincing.
3. You Call the Number and Reach “Support”
When you call the number, scammers posing as PayPal agents answer the phone. They confirm your name and ask for some basic account details to “look up your account”.
After pretending to review your information, they say they’ve confirmed unauthorized/fraudulent activity on your account.
4. The “Agents” Offer to Help Secure and Refund Your Account
The fake support reps claim they can refund the fraudulent charge, remove any malware from your device, and secure your account from further attacks.
However, they state that remote access to your computer is required to properly diagnose the issue and provide support. This is the key to their scam.
5. You Allow Remote Access to Your Device
The criminals will guide you through downloading remote access software like AnyDesk, LogMeIn, TeamViewer, etc. Then you’ll be instructed to provide the scammer with a remote login code.
Once entered on their end, the scammers have full control over your computer, including access to sensitive files and passwords.
6. They Steal Your Personal and Financial Information
With remote access, the criminals can steal login credentials, install malware like keyloggers to capture your keystrokes, or access financial information.
They may also trick you into logging into your online accounts like email, bank, etc. – allowing them to steal usernames, passwords, and other sensitive data.
7. You May Be Tricked into Buying Gift Cards for Them
In many cases, the scammers will claim the only way to refund the fraudulent charge is through gift cards. They insist you purchase cards from places like Amazon or iTunes, then read them the redemption code.
In this way, you end up paying real money to the scammers in the form of gift cards. After receiving the codes, they end the call and disappear with your money and information.
What to Do If You Already Fell for This Scam
If you already called the number and allowed remote access, don’t panic. Here are some important steps to take right away:
Disconnect your device from the internet to block the scammer’s access. Turn off WiFi and unplug ethernet cables.
Perform a factory reset on devices that were accessed to wipe them clean of any malware. Make sure to backup your data first.
Scan all devices with reputable anti-virus software to detect and remove any malware or spyware the scammers may have installed.
Change all passwords for any accounts logged into during the scam call. Enable 2-factor authentication when available. Update passwords again once your device is clean.
Contact your bank if the scammers now have access to your financial accounts or credit cards. Report fraudulent charges and request that compromised accounts be frozen.
Watch for unauthorized transactions on all your financial accounts. Report any suspicious or unknown activity to your bank. Sign up for account alerts to be notified of transactions.
File a complaint with the FTC, FBI, and PayPal so they can attempt to track down the criminals. Provide any details you have about the scammers.
Block phone numbers used by the scammers to prevent future contact. Ask your phone provider to block international calls if the scam originated overseas.
Stay vigilant for any signs of identity theft or financial fraud in the upcoming weeks. The quicker you report unauthorized activity, the faster it can be shut down. Consider signing up for an identity theft monitoring service as well.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
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
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
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.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, 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:
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.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
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.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
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.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
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.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
Frequently Asked Questions About the “PayPaI Customer Care” Scam Email
1. I received an email from “PayPaI Customer Care” about an unauthorized transaction. Is it real?
No, this email is a scam. PayPal will never email you unsolicited about suspicious activity on your account. Any communication from PayPal about unauthorized transactions will come as an alert inside your PayPal account inbox. Unexpected emails like this purporting to be from PayPal are scams known as phishing attempts. The goal is to trick you into calling the number so scammers posing as PayPal support can gain remote access to your computer. Do not call the number or click any links. Report the email as phishing.
2. What information was included in the phishing email?
The scam email is made to look like it’s from PayPal Customer Care. The subject line says “Docusing [PayPal logo] PayPaI Customer Care sent you a document to review and sign”. The body of the email claims to be from PayPal and states they’ve identified an unauthorized transaction from your account for a specific dollar amount on a certain date. It provides a phone number to call if you did not authorize the charge. This number actually connects you to scammers impersonating PayPal support, not real agents.
3. What happens if I call the number in the email?
If you call the number, scammers posing as PayPal agents will answer. They will pretend to look up your account and confirm unauthorized activity. Then they’ll offer to refund the fraudulent charge, remove malware, and secure your account – but only if you allow them remote access to your computer. This allows the criminals to infect your device with malware, steal account credentials, passwords, financial information, and trick you into buying gift cards for them. Never call numbers in suspicious emails claiming to be from financial institutions.
4. How can I tell if an email is really from PayPal or not?
To identify phishing emails:
– PayPal will never email unsolicited about account activity. Legit alerts come as messages inside your PayPal account.
– Look for poor spelling, grammar, or inconsistent branding.
– Hover over links to see if they actually go to PayPal.com or elsewhere.
– Always go directly to PayPal.com and log in to view any notifications.
– PayPal’s official customer service number is 1-888-221-1161. Do not call other numbers claiming to be PayPal.
5. I already called the number and got scammed. What now?
If you provided remote access, take these steps immediately:
– Disconnect your device from internet access to block the scammers.
– Reset devices accessed by the scammers to factory settings. Backup data first.
– Run antivirus scans to check for and remove any malware installed.
– Change passwords on accounts logged into during the call. Enable two-factor authentication.
– Contact your bank about any fraudulent charges or compromised accounts.
– File complaints with the FTC, FBI, PayPal, and your local authorities. Report all details provided.
– Watch accounts closely for signs of fraud and identity theft. Sign up for transaction alerts.
6. How can I avoid becoming victim to the PayPaI scam?
To avoid this scam:
– Never call or provide personal information to unsolicited emails claiming to be from financial institutions.
– Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers spoof real numbers.
– Legit businesses will never cold call demanding remote access to your device. Hang up.
– Only download remote access software for tech support calls you initiate with a verified company.
– Keep antivirus software updated to detect malware and block scammer tools.
– Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on all accounts.
7. Who can I report this scam to?
Report phishing emails to:
– PayPal: Forward the email as an attachment to phishing@paypal.com
– FTC: ftc.gov/complaint
– FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov
– Report phone numbers used to carriers and the FCC to help identify and block scammers.
8. How can I help warn others about PayPal phone scams?
You can help protect others by:
– Reporting any phishing emails to PayPal so they can investigate fraudulent domains.
– Commenting on PayPal social media pages about the scam to spread awareness.
– Sharing scam details on neighborhood apps and social networks so people know what to watch for.
– Reporting phone numbers used by scammers so carriers can potentially block them.
– Spreading awareness to less tech savvy family and friends who may be more vulnerable to such scams.
The Bottom Line – Don’t Fall for This Con
The “Docusign PayPal” phishing scam is designed to trick users into allowing remote access to steal personal and financial information. Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim:
Know that PayPal does not call users about suspicious account activity. They communicate through official alerts inside your PayPal account.
Never provide remote access unless dealing directly with your IT department. Real tech support would never cold call users and ask to remotely connect to their computer.
Don’t trust caller ID as scammers can spoof real numbers. Verify a caller’s identity by hanging up and contacting the company directly.
Avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unexpected emails and texts claiming to be from financial institutions or online accounts. Call official support numbers you find on the company’s website.
Use strong antivirus protection that blocks remote access malware and tech support scammer tools. Make sure to scan regularly for the latest threats.
Stay vigilant against phishing attempts and phone scams aiming to steal your personal information and money. Never provide sensitive account details or remote access to unverified parties claiming to offer support.
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.
