PayPal Login Scam Email and Text Messages

PayPal Scam Tactics

• Phishing Alerts: Emails with subjects like "Your account is about to be suspended" or "Suspicious activity detected" create a false sense of urgency.
• Fake Invoices: Scammers send real PayPal invoices for products you never bought, including a fake customer service number in the "notes" section to bait you into calling them.
• Generic Greetings: Legitimate PayPal emails will always address you by your first and last name, never "Dear User" or "Hello PayPal Member".
• Profile Setup Scams: Sophisticated scams may use legitimate-looking "Set up your account profile" emails to trick users into adding a scammer as a secondary user.
• Remote Access: Fraudsters may claim they need to "fix" your account and ask you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, which gives them full control of your computer.

Protect Yourself

• Verify Directly: Never click links in an email. Always type paypal.com directly into your browser or use the official app to check your account status.
• Enable 2FA: Use two-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to log in even if they have your password.
• Check the Sender: Verify the sender's full email address, not just the display name. Authentic PayPal emails often have a checkmark next to the logo in supported inboxes.
• Report Suspicious Content: Forward any suspicious emails to phishing@paypal.com and then delete them.

If You've Been Scammed

1. Change Passwords: Immediately update your PayPal password and any other accounts that share the same login.
2. Contact Your Bank: Notify your financial institution if you provided bank or card details.
3. Report the Incident: Use the official PayPal Resolution Center to report unauthorized transactions or fraudulent activity.