Beware the Fake Vested LLC Paypal Invoice Email Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Have you received an email that appears to come from Vested LLC which says you have successfully placed an order for an expensive item like a laptop or iPhone using your PayPal account? The email then states that the order has been billed to you and includes an invoice from “Vested LLC”? Beware – this is a phishing scam designed to steal your money and personal information.
This article contains:
Overview of the Vested LLC PayPal Invoice Scam
This Vested LLC phishing email is carefully crafted to look like it is from PayPal’s billing department. The scam works by tricking recipients into calling a fake customer support number listed in the email. The number connects you to a scammer posing as PayPal support. They will then try to convince you that the charge is real and have you pay the fake invoice. Victims end up paying money for items they never purchased.
The Vested LLC Invoice scam email contains several red flags that indicate it is not legitimate:
The phone number provided is not PayPal’s real billing contact number.
The transaction ID does not show up when checking your PayPal account.
There are grammatical errors throughout the email.
The sender address does not match PayPal’s actual email addresses.
How the Vested LLC PayPal Invoice Scam Works
The Vested LLC PayPal invoice scam employs clever social engineering techniques to steal money and sensitive information from victims. Here is an in-depth look at how the scam operates:
Step 1: Victims Receive a Phishing Email
The scam starts with an email sent to the target’s inbox. The message appears to be from PayPal and Vested LLC. The email states that the recipient has successfully placed an order for an expensive item like a TV or iPhone.
It includes a fake transaction ID and an invoice from “Vested LLC” charging them for the purchase. The total is usually $500 or more.
Step 2: Email Directs Victims to Call a Fake Support Number
The email urges recipients to call a customer support number immediately to resolve the billing issue. But the phone number actually connects to the scammers.
Step 3: Scammers Pose as PayPal Support to Carry Out the Scam
When victims call the number, the scammers impersonate PayPal billing staff. They confirm that the invoice is valid and pressure the target to pay it right away.
The scammers insist the charge is for a real order placed on the victim’s account. Their goal is to convince the person that the billing error was on PayPal’s end, not a scam.
Step 4: Scammers Request Payment and Account Access
Once the victim is persuaded the invoice is real, the scammers begin extracting money and information. They may request credit card details to process an immediate payment for the fake invoice.
In other cases, they have victims login to their PayPal account on a phishing site to issue a refund. The scammers can then steal the entered login credentials to take over the account.
Some scammers pretend to “accidentally” refund too much money. They will contact the victim again asking them to return the overpayment.
Step 5: Installation of Remote Access Software
In addition to stealing payment info and account access, scammers may try to install remote access software like AnyDesk on the victim’s computer.
They convince the target this is necessary to process refunds or cancel the invalid order. But the software actually allows the criminals to control the computer remotely and steal personal data.
What to Do if You Get The Vested LLC PayPal Invoice Scam Email
If you receive an email about an unexpected Vested LLC PayPal invoice, here are important steps to take:
Do not call the number in the email, as it will connect you to scammers.
Check your PayPal account by logging into your real account at paypal.com. Look for the transaction ID from the email. If it doesn’t exist, it’s fake.
Report the email as phishing to PayPal directly so they can investigate. Forward the email to phishing@paypal.com.
Do not click any links in the scam email, as they may contain malware.
If you already paid the invoice or gave account access, contact PayPal support immediately to close the account and dispute the charges.
Scan your computer for malware if you clicked any links or downloaded files from the email.
Change passwords for your PayPal account and any other accounts that use the same password. Enable two-factor authentication if possible.
Watch for further scam attempts, as victims often get targeted multiple times.
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 Vested LLC PayPal Invoice Scam
1. What is the Vested LLC PayPal invoice scam?
The Vested LLC PayPal invoice scam is a phishing scam where victims receive a fake email pretending to be from PayPal. The email states that the victim placed an order for an expensive item like a TV or laptop and now owes money to Vested LLC. It includes a fake invoice and transaction ID. The email urges the victim to call a phone number to resolve the issue, but the number actually leads to a scammer impersonating PayPal support. Their goal is to trick victims into paying the fake invoice or giving up sensitive information.
2. How do I recognize the fake PayPal invoice email?
Some red flags that indicate the email is a scam include:
The sender email address does not match PayPal’s actual billing addresses (service@paypal.com or member@paypal.com).
There are grammatical errors and typos throughout the email.
The transaction ID in the email does not show up when you log in to your actual PayPal account.
The customer service number goes to scammers, not real PayPal support.
3. What happens if I call the customer service number?
The number in the scam email leads to fraudsters posing as PayPal billing staff. They will try to convince you that the invoice is valid and pressure you to pay it right away. The scammers may request your credit card number, login credentials, or remote access to your computer in order to process the payment. Provides any of this sensitive information will result in identity theft or stolen funds.
4. What techniques do the scammers use on the phone?
The scammers will insist the invoice is for a real purchase made on your account. They may pretend to accidentally refund too much money, then contact you again to have you return the overpayment. Scammers may also persuade victims to install remote access software under the guise of processing refunds. This actually gives the criminals control over your computer remotely.
5. Should I click any links in the scam email?
No, you should never click links in suspected scam emails as they may contain malware. Even clicking a link to a fake PayPal site can expose your computer or device to malicious software designed to steal personal data. Always go directly to paypal.com by typing it into your browser if you want to check your account.
6. How can I protect myself from this scam?
If you receive a suspicious PayPal invoice email:
Do not call the phone number or click any links in the email.
Log directly into your PayPal account to check for the invoice/transaction ID.
Forward the scam email to PayPal at phishing@paypal.com.
Contact PayPal support if you already paid a scammer.
Change your PayPal password and enable two-factor authentication.
Watch for further phishing attempts using different scam stories.
7. What should I do if I already fell for this scam?
If you already paid the invoice or gave the scammers access to your PayPal account, contact PayPal immediately to close the account and dispute the charges. Also watch for unauthorized charges on your linked credit cards or bank accounts. You may need to cancel those cards to prevent further misuse. Run antivirus software to check your computer for malware. Enable login alerts on your accounts and monitor your credit reports for signs of identity theft.
The Bottom Line
The Vested LLC PayPal invoice scam is a dangerous phishing attack that can result in money loss and identity theft if recipients fall for it. Always exercise caution when receiving emails about PayPal billing problems. The best defense is verifying any supposed charges directly within your PayPal account first before taking any requested actions. Being aware of the scam’s warning signs like grammatical errors and spoofed sender addresses can also help identify and avoid it.
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.
