The Berkshire Hathaway PayPal Money Request Scam Explained

Have you received a PayPal invoice stating you have a money request of $1400 from Berkshire Hathaway? This fabricated invoice is a sneaky scam targeting your account. Read on to learn how this phishing attack works and how to protect yourself.

Overview of the Berkshire Hathaway PayPal Scam

This scam starts with an email pretending to be an invoice from PayPal. It states you have a pending money request of $1400 from Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company run by billionaire Warren Buffett.

The email urges you to call a provided customer support number (+1 828 468 8044) right away if you did not authorize this transaction. However, the number actually connects you to smooth-talking scammers posing as PayPal agents.

Once on the phone, the fraudsters will convince you the money request is valid and you need to allow it to avoid account restrictions. Their ultimate goal is to gain remote access to your computer and steal your PayPal login credentials or banking information.

Red Flags to Identify This Scam

While cleverly designed, a close look reveals multiple red flags that indicate the Berkshire Hathaway email is a phishing scam:

• The sender email address does not match PayPal’s official customer support addresses.
• There are grammar and spelling errors throughout the email.
• Berkshire Hathaway is not actually making a random PayPal payment request.
• The money request and provided case ID are invalid. They do not show up when logging into your real PayPal account.
• The phone number goes to scammers impersonating PayPal agents, not real support staff.

How the Scam Works

Let’s take a closer look at the specific techniques used in this scam to compromise victims:

Step 1) Victim Receives Fake Berkshire Hathaway Money Request Email

The scam starts with an email hitting the victim’s inbox with the subject “You’ve a money request of $1400 from Berkshire Hathaway.” The sender name is spoofed to appear as “Service@PayPal.com.”

The email states the victim has an open money request from Berkshire Hathaway’s PayPal account for $1400. It includes a fake case ID and claims the request will automatically accept in 24 hours.

Step 2) Email Instructs Victim to Call Scammer Phone Number

The email urges the recipient to call the listed 828 number immediately if they did not authorize this money request. This is reinforced with language intended to create urgency and panic, such as stating their account will face restrictions if they do not act fast.

Step 3) Victim Calls Number and Reaches Scammers Posing as PayPal

When victims call the number, it connects them to professional scammers impersonating PayPal billing and account specialists. The criminals confirm the money request is valid and must be allowed to avoid account limitations.

Step 4) Scammers Pressure Victim to Provide Account Access

Once convinced the request is real, scammers begin extracting the victim’s account access. They instruct the victim to log into their PayPal account on a phishing site, allowing the scammer to steal login credentials.

Or the scammers have victims download remote access software like TeamViewer allegedly to verify account ownership. This really gives the scammers unfettered access to the victim’s computer, email, financial accounts, and personal data.

Step 5) Criminals Steal Funds and Personal Information

With the victim’s PayPal access and remote control of the computer, the criminals can steal money from the PayPal account and linked bank accounts or credit cards. They also often spend time searching for any personal information, financial documents, or passwords stored on the computer to facilitate identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself from This Scam

If you receive a suspicious email about a money request from Berkshire Hathaway, take these steps:

• Do not call the number in the email, as it will connect you with scammers, not PayPal.
• Check your account by logging into PayPal directly through their website or app. Verify if any transaction or request is actually there.
• Forward the scam email to PayPal at phishing@paypal.com so they can investigate it further.
• Never provide remote access to your computer or login credentials to anyone over the phone claiming to be from PayPal. Real agents will never ask for this type of account access.
• If you did provide scammers access, contact PayPal immediately to secure your account and dispute any fraudulent transactions. You may need to change online account passwords, cancel affected credit cards, and scan your computer for malware.

What To Do If You Already Fell Victim to This Scam

Unfortunately, many victims do not realize they have been scammed until it is too late. If you provided scammers with access to your PayPal account or remote control of your computer, take these steps right away:

1. Contact PayPal customer service immediately. Report unauthorized account access and transactions. Request they shut down the account to prevent further fraudulent activity.
2. Dispute any unauthorized charges or money transfers from your account with PayPal and your linked banks. Provide details on how you were scammed. This can help reverse the fraudulent transactions.
3. Closely monitor your bank accounts and credit cards linked to PayPal for any suspicious transactions. Unauthorized charges may occur if the scammers stole that financial information from your computer files or account access. Contact your bank and card issuers to report fraud and have new cards issued.
4. Install comprehensive anti-virus software on your computer if you allowed remote access. Run thorough scans to detect and remove any malware, spyware, or backdoors the scammers may have planted to continue accessing your computer.
5. Change your PayPal password, security questions, and enable 2-factor authentication when you regain account access. Also change passwords on any other online accounts for protection.
6. Place fraud alerts and monitor your credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion in case the stolen information is used for identity theft. Renew the alerts every 90 days.
7. File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and Federal Trade Commission. Provide details of how you were targeted and scammed. This can aid investigations to help bring these criminals to justice.
8. Educate yourself on the latest online scams to avoid being targeted again. Never fall for pressure tactics over the phone from unknown individuals regarding your financial accounts.

Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan

Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. A quick way to check is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free, one of the most trusted malware removal tools available. If you only visited a scam page and didn’t download or install anything, this scan is optional.

The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:

• Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
• Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
• Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
• Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for

👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.

Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android

Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

1. Download Malwarebytes

   Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.

   

   Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost

   Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium

2. Install Malwarebytes

   When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.

   

3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

   The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:

   • Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.

     

   • Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.

     

   • When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.

     

   • On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.

     

4. Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan

   You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.

   If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:

   1. On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
   2. Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
   3. Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
   4. When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.

   Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.

5. Start the Scan

   Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.

   

6. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.

   

7. Quarantine the Detected Threats

   When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.

   

   Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.

   

8. Restart Your Computer

   Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.

   

When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.

Keep your PC protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your antivirus let this threat through, it may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malware, ransomware, and malicious websites before they can infect your computer.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

• Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
• Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac

Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac

   Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

   

   Malwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost

   Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium

2. Open the Malwarebytes setup file

   When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.

   

3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

   The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.

   

   

   

   When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.

   Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.

4. Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”

   Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
   

5. Start the Scan

   Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
   

6. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
   

7. Quarantine the Detected Threats

   When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
   

8. Restart Your Mac

   Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
   
   

If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.

Keep your Mac protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your Mac got infected, its built-in protection may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium for Mac adds real-time protection that blocks malware and adware before they can infect your Mac.See Malwarebytes Premium

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 scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.

1. Download Malwarebytes for Android.

   You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.

   

   Malwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost

   Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for Android

2. Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.

   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.
   

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process

   When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.

   Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.

4. Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android

   On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.

5. 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.
   

6. Remove the detected apps.

   When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.

7. Restart your phone.

   When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.

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If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.

Keep your phone protectedStop the next infection before it starts

Malwarebytes for Android Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malicious apps and scam links before they can harm your phone.See Malwarebytes for Android

If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

• Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
• Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.

A factory reset erases everything on your phone. Your apps, photos, files, and settings are deleted, so use it only if the problem continues after the steps above and after you’ve asked for help. Before you reset:

• Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
• Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
• On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
• If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.

On a Google Pixel, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Menu names differ on other phones, so check your manufacturer’s support site.

Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites

No scan can prove a device is completely clean, so it helps to block threats before they reach you. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.

We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.

👉 Download AdGuard and browse safely

Frequently Asked Questions about the Berkshire Hathaway PayPal Money Request Scam

1. What is the Berkshire Hathaway PayPal money request scam?

This is a phishing scam where victims receive a fake PayPal email stating Berkshire Hathaway has sent them a $1400 money request. The email instructs victims to call a number to authorize the payment. However, the number leads to scammers pretending to be PayPal support who access the victim’s account credentials.

2. How can I identify the fake Berkshire Hathaway email?

Red flags include:

• Sender address does not match PayPal customer service.
• Grammatical/spelling errors.
• Berkshire Hathaway is not actually sending you money requests.
• Case ID is invalid when checked on real PayPal account.

3. What happens when I call the number in the email?

The number connects you to skilled scammers impersonating PayPal billing agents. They will convince you the money request is real and must be authorized to avoid account restrictions. Their real goal is to steal your login credentials or get remote access to your computer.

4. What techniques do the scam call agents use?

The fake agents will:

• Pressure you to log into PayPal on a phishing site to steal your username/password.
• Request installation of remote access software like TeamViewer to take control of your computer.
• Once they have account access, steal money and personal data.

5. Should I ever provide remote computer access to a call agent?

No, real PayPal employees will never ask for remote access to your computer, even for valid reasons like verifying account ownership. Granting remote access simply gives scammers total control to steal your information.

6. What steps can I take to avoid this scam?

If you get an email about a money request, take these steps:

• Do not call the number in the email.
• Log in to your PayPal account directly to verify any payment requests.
• Forward the scam email to PayPal at phishing@paypal.com.
• Never provide account credentials or remote access to a caller.
• Contact PayPal if you did provide scammers access to secure your account.

7. What should I do if I already fell victim to this scam?

If you gave scammers access to your PayPal account, contact PayPal immediately to lock the account and dispute any unauthorized charges. Also watch for fraudulent charges on linked credit cards or bank accounts. You may need to cancel those cards to prevent additional misuse. Run antivirus software to check your computer for malware, change online account passwords, and monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activity.

The Bottom Line

The Berkshire Hathaway PayPal money request scam shows how far fraudsters will go to impersonate trusted companies like PayPal to steal from victims. But being aware of the scam’s red flags and verifying any payment requests directly within your PayPal account can help protect you. Remember that PayPal will never call you out of the blue demanding immediate payment for a money request. Use caution and do your own verification anytime you get an urgent call or email about your PayPal account funds.