Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
PayPal Customer Service Scam

"PayPal customer service" scams are a common way for fraudsters to trick you into giving away your money or personal info. They often use high-pressure tactics, like telling you there's a big, unauthorized charge on your account that you need to "cancel" right away.

Red Flags

  • Suspicious Phone Numbers: Scammers include fake support numbers in emails or invoices. Real PayPal support won't call you from 1-888-221-1161 to ask for your password or personal details.
  • Fake Invoices: You might get a real-looking PayPal invoice for something like a "Nikon camera" or "Antivirus subscription" you never bought. The goal is to get you to call the number in the "seller's note".
  • Generic Greetings: Legitimate PayPal emails always address you by your full name (or business name). If it says "Dear User" or "Hello PayPal member," it's almost certainly a scam.
  • Remote Access Requests: A big warning sign is if "support" asks you to download software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer to "help" you. PayPal will never ask for remote access to your device.

Protect Yourself

  1. Don't click or call: If you get a suspicious email, don't use the links or phone numbers inside it.
  2. Check your account directly: Open a new browser tab, go to PayPal.com, and log in. If there’s a real issue, you'll see it in your Notifications or Resolution Center.
  3. Forward phishing attempts: Send the suspicious email to phishing@paypal.com.
  4. Official Support: Only use the contact info from the official PayPal Contact Page.
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