If you have ever used PayPal to buy or sell something online, you may be familiar with its invoice system. PayPal allows sellers to create invoices, which can then be sent to a customer’s PayPal account to pay for a product or service. However, PayPal doesn’t seem to do a great job when it comes to checking if invoices are legitimate or not. Recently, scammers have been using invoices to trick people into sending money to other accounts or revealing their personal and financial information.
In this blog post, we will explain how the “Invoice from Order Confirmation” PayPal scam works and how you can avoid falling victim to it.
How the Invoice from Order Confirmation PayPal Scam Email works
The scam involves sending a PayPal user an email, telling them to pay for something they never ordered. The email may identify the sender as the “Billing Department of PayPal” or “Order Confirmation” and claim that a certain amount of money has been debited from their account for a purchase they did not make. The email may also include an alarmist note, asking them to call a fake customer service number to resolve an “issue” on their account.
The email looks like a real PayPal email, with the same “service@paypal.com” address and a button that says “View and Pay Invoice”. However, if you click on the button, you will be taken to a fake PayPal website that asks you to log in with your credentials. If you do so, the scammers will have access to your account and can use it fraudulently. Alternatively, if you call the fake customer service number, the scammers will try to convince you to provide your personal and financial information, such as your credit card number, bank account number, or social security number. They may also ask you to wire them money or buy gift cards for them.
The scammers are trying to exploit your fear and confusion by making you think that you have been charged for something you did not buy and that you need to act quickly to fix it. However, if you pay attention to the details of the email and the invoice, you will notice some red flags that indicate it is a scam.
Here is how the scam email typically looks like:
From: Order Confirmation service@paypal.com
Subject: Invoice from Order Confirmation (RR12)
Hello,
Here’s your invoice
Order Confirmation sent you an invoice for $475.00 USD
Due on receipt.
Invoice details
Amount requested
$475.00 USD
Note from seller
Thank you. +1(866) 307-6502
Invoice number
RR12
View and Pay Invoice
Don’t recognize this invoice?
Report this invoice
Before paying, make sure you recognize this invoice. If you don’t, report it. Learn more about common security threats and how to spot them. For example, PayPal would never use an invoice or a money request to ask you for your account credentials.
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How to spot the Invoice from Order Confirmation PayPal Scam Email
Here are some signs that the email and the invoice are not from PayPal:
- The email does not address you by your name, but by a generic greeting like “Hello” or “Dear Customer”.
- The email contains spelling and grammatical errors or uses poor language.
- The email asks you to call a phone number that is not listed on PayPal’s official website or app.
- The email urges you to act quickly or threatens you with consequences if you don’t.
- The invoice is for a product or service that you never ordered or received.
- The invoice has a suspicious note from the seller, such as “Thank you. +1(866) 307-6502” or “BITCOIN CRPTO”.
- The invoice number is not consistent with your previous invoices from PayPal.
- The invoice amount is unusually high or low.
How to avoid the Invoice from Order Confirmation PayPal Scam Email
If you receive an email or an invoice that looks suspicious, do not click on any links, open any attachments, call any phone numbers, or reply to it. Instead, follow these steps:
- Log into your PayPal account directly from the official app or website (www.paypal.com) and check your activity page for any recent payments or requests. If you see any unauthorized transactions, report them immediately to PayPal’s Resolution Center.
- Forward the suspicious email or invoice to phishing@paypal.com and then delete it. PayPal will investigate it and take appropriate action.
- If you have already clicked on a link, opened an attachment, called a phone number, or provided any information from the email or invoice, change your password and security questions on your PayPal account as soon as possible. You should also contact your bank and credit card company and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
- Be wary of any messages that are alarmist, warning you to call them quickly to resolve an “issue” on your account. PayPal would never use an invoice or a money request to ask you for your account credentials or personal information.
- Before paying any invoice, make sure you recognize it and verify its details with the seller. If you don’t know the seller or have doubts about their legitimacy, do not pay them.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The “Invoice from Order Confirmation” Email Scam can contain malware within the attachments or links that appear in the body of the email. By interacting with the malware — for example, opening or downloading an attachment that contains a malicious payload — the user may unknowingly infect their device or network, enabling attackers to gain access to protected applications and data.
To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer 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 and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
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.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
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.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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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.
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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.
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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.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
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.
Scan Your Mac 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 and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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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“.
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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.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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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.
-
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.
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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, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
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
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.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
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.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Conclusion
The “Invoice from Order Confirmation” PayPal scam is one of the many phishing scams that target PayPal users. It tries to trick you into paying for something you did not buy or giving away your personal and financial information by sending you a fake email and invoice from PayPal. However, by being vigilant and following some simple tips, you can spot
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