PayPal is one of the most popular and secure online payment platforms in the world. Millions of people use it every day to send and receive money, buy goods and services, and manage their finances. However, as with any online service, PayPal is also a target for scammers who try to trick users into giving up their personal or financial information, or sending money to fraudulent accounts. One of the latest scams that has been circulating on the internet is the PayPal Pay Protection Scam.
What is the PayPal Pay Protection Scam?
The PayPal Pay Protection Scam is a phishing scheme that aims to steal people’s data and money by pretending to be a legitimate service offered by PayPal. The scam involves sending users fake emails, messages, or directing them to malicious websites that display a message claiming that they have been approved for a large sum of money as compensation for financial damage caused by fraudulent resources. The message looks something like this:
“PayPal Pay Protection
Credit account: VISA/MASTERCARD ****Status: Approved
Transfer amount: 19,740 USD
visa
VISA/MASTER CARD •••• 789719 740 $
Dear client. A money transfer was reserved in Your name in the amount of
19 740 USD
(nineteen thousand seven hundred and forty dollars)The amount was calculated as compensation for financial damage caused by fraudulent resources.
Be careful and cautious when making money transactions on the Internet.
Pay Protection takes care of Your security.
You must confirm the transaction within 24 hours of visiting this page. Otherwise, all funds will be returned to the sender’s Bank.
To complete the transfer, use the Pay Protection guest account at the link below.
PERSONAL ACCOUNT: GUEST 1780
TRANSFER STATUS: PROCESSING
TRANSFER AMOUNT: 19 147 USD
Your payment is ready to be sent
19 147 USD
Enter your card nunber:
The number of the card visa/mastercard:
0000 0000 0000 0000
CONFIRM AND WITHDRAW MONEY
The message may vary slightly in wording, design, or amount, but the general idea is the same: to lure users into clicking on a link or entering their card number to claim their money. However, if they do so, they will not receive any money, but instead expose their personal and financial information to the scammers, who can then use it to make unauthorized transactions, steal their identity, or sell it to other criminals.
How The PayPal Pay Protection Scam Works?
The PayPal Pay Protection Scam works by exploiting people’s curiosity, greed, or fear. The scammers use various methods to distribute their fake messages, such as malware, spam push notifications, malvertising (malicious advertising), social media posts, or hacked accounts. They may also spoof (fake) the sender’s email address or phone number to make it look like it comes from PayPal or a trusted source.
The scammers hope that some of the recipients will fall for their trick and click on the link or enter their card number without verifying the authenticity of the message or the website. Once they do that, they will be redirected to a phishing website that mimics PayPal’s official website, but with a different URL (web address). The website will ask them to log in with their PayPal credentials (email and password), enter their card details (number, expiration date, CVV code), or provide other personal information (name, address, phone number). The scammers will then capture this information and use it for fraudulent purposes.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim
If you have fallen victim to the PayPal Pay Protection Scam, you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your account. Here are some steps you should follow:
- Contact your bank or card issuer and report the fraudulent transaction. Ask them to cancel your card and issue a new one.
- Log in to your PayPal account and change your password and security questions. Review your recent activity and report any unauthorized transactions.
- Forward the phishing email or message to phishing@paypal.com and then delete it.
- Scan your device for malware and remove any suspicious programs or apps.
- Report the scam to your local authorities or consumer protection agencies.
- Educate yourself and others about how to spot and avoid common scams.
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. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free — one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.
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.
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 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 PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.
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 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, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
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.
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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 phone is now clean — no more malicious apps, adware, or 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.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. 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
Conclusion
The PayPal Pay Protection Scam is a phishing scheme that tries to steal people’s data and money by impersonating a legitimate service offered by PayPal. The scam involves sending users fake messages that claim they have been approved for a large sum of money as compensation for financial damage caused by fraudulent resources. The message asks them to click on a link or enter their card number to claim their money. However, if they do so, they will not receive any money, but instead expose their personal and financial information to the scammers, who can then use it for malicious purposes.
To avoid falling for this scam, you should always be careful and cautious when receiving emails or messages that ask you to confirm or verify your account, provide your personal or financial information, or claim that you have won a prize or a refund. You should always check the sender’s email address or phone number, the URL of the website, and the content of the message for any signs of fraud. You should also never click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a message or a website, you should contact PayPal directly through their official channels and verify the information.
Remember, PayPal will never ask you to provide your card number, password, PIN, or any other sensitive information in an email or a message. PayPal will also never send you money as compensation for financial damage caused by fraudulent resources. If you receive such a message, it is most likely a scam and you should ignore it and report it to PayPal.
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