How Not to Get Scammed on PayPal

How Not to Get Scammed on PayPal

To avoid PayPal scams, verify every payment request, never share sensitive codes, and use PayPal's built-in protections for purchases. Scammers exploit urgency and trust, but a few habits greatly reduce your risk.

Recognize Common PayPal Scam Tactics

• Fake invoices or payment notifications that pressure you to act immediately.
• Phishing emails and texts pretending to be from PayPal, asking you to click a link.
• Overpayment scams where a buyer sends extra and asks for a refund.
• Fake buyer or seller accounts with no history and generic profiles.

Protect Your Account

Start with your account settings. Enable two-factor authentication, use a unique password, and review your login activity. Treat your PayPal password and one-time security codes as strictly private; PayPal will never ask for them by email or phone.

Check Before You Click

Hover over links to see the real URL. Log in to PayPal directly through the app or browser, not through a link in an email, to confirm any transaction or message.

Use Buyer and Seller Protections

Paypal Buyer Protection can cover eligible purchases if items are not received or significantly not as described. For sellers, shipping to confirmed addresses and keeping records helps avoid false claims. Always use PayPal's platform for payments rather than agreeing to pay off-platform, which voids most protections.

Spot Fake Invoices and Requests

Unsolicited invoices from people or businesses you do not recognize are a red flag. Do not approve or pay them. If a friend's account is compromised, they may send a familiar-looking request; verify through another channel before sending money.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

Stop communication, do not send money or codes, and report the message through PayPal's resolution center. If you already paid, file a dispute promptly. Quick action does not guarantee recovery, but it preserves your options.