Warning: This PayPal Scam Is Everywhere Right Now

“Reminder: You still have a request for money!” That was the subject of the messages that flooded my husband Barry’s inbox for weeks. The first couple was worrying, then it was downright annoying.

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He is not the only one who receives them; There is a sneaky scam that looks totally legitimate, because it actually comes from PayPal.

Let’s take a closer look at how it works so you don’t fall into the trap.

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This is how it goes down

Luckily for us, scammers use the same tricks. This one is becoming quite common, it’s easy to spot if you’re careful.

First, you receive an invoice through PayPal. It might say something like “Payment overdue for a purchase” or tell you that a payment was processed due to a technical error.

It looks real because it was sent through the PayPal platform. They expect you to panic and act without thinking. PayPal is a trusted platform, so when you see its logo and familiar format, it’s easy to let your guard down.

The photo shows a woman using a phone. (iStock)

It’s a fake invoice, of course.

PayPal allows anyone with an account to submit an invoice, which scammers take advantage of to make it look legitimate.

There is a phone number on your bill notice that you can call for assistance. It appears as your PayPal number, but it is someone out to steal your money and information. All of the scam emails I reviewed had different numbers attached.

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Calling the fake support number is the worst thing you can do. The scammer may ask for your login details or payment card information to “resolve the problem.” In some cases, they will install malware on your device, stealing passwords and financial details in the background.”

How to detect and stop it

This March 10, 2015, file photo shows signs outside PayPal’s headquarters in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

PayPal will never send invoices for random purchases that you have not authorized. If something seems wrong, trust your instincts and check before acting.

Check details: Look at the sender’s email and transaction history. If it is not a company or person you recognize, it is likely a scam.
Double check the invoice recipient: That’s another obvious red flag in this case. Every email I saw had someone besides my husband in a small text at the top. Look carefully.
Do not call any of the phone numbers listed: This is smart with any bill, call, document, email, strange text message, you name it. Do not use the contact information that is included. Go to the official website to find it.

I looked this up: PayPal’s actual support number is 1-888-221-1161. They take calls from 6am to 6pm PT daily.

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If in doubt, the best thing to do is to contact customer service. They are much more familiar with scam patterns than most regular people, as they see them day in and day out. Additionally, they can examine your account to tell you what is a legitimate request and what is not.

If you are sure the invoice is fake, delete it. But first…

Report it to PayPal. Consider this your good deed for the day. Reporting scams not only helps you, it helps everyone. When you flag fake invoices to PayPal, your team can track patterns, close scammer accounts, and warn others about similar tactics.

Sign in to your PayPal account, then visit the Resolution Centerwhere you can report suspicious invoices.
Even easier, forward the email to phishing@paypal.com to alert your security team.

A person is shown holding a wad of twenty dollar bills. (iStock)

Lock your account for greater security

If you don’t have two-factor authentication set up, don’t wait. It only takes a minute. You will now receive a code when you log in. Annoying? A bit. But it’s worth taking the extra step on any account tied to your finances.

Sign in to your PayPal account in a browser. Click on the Settings icon > Security > 2-step verification. You can use an authenticator app or receive codes as text messages. Pro tip: An authenticator app is the most secure option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Scams like this are tricky, but they’re easy to spot if you know what to look for. Share this with your friends and family so they don’t fall into the trap.

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