Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Mein Shop PayPal Scam Receipt and Invoice

The "mein shop" (My Store) PayPal scam is a prevalent phishing tactic where scammers send fake PayPal receipts or invoices directly through the Shopify Shop App, PayPal, or email. The goal is to panic you into calling a fake customer service number or clicking malicious links to "dispute" a false charge.

How the Scam Works

  1. The Notification: You receive an alert (via email, SMS, or within the Shop App) stating your store ("My Store" or "Mein Shop") has generated a large sale paid via bank transfer and PayPal.
  2. The Hook: The message includes an urgent note like "If this transaction is unauthorized, call our support team immediately".
  3. The Trap: Scammers want you to call the provided phone number. Once on the phone, they will attempt to trick you into granting remote access to your device, sharing verification codes, or sending "cancellation/dispute" fees.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Verify in your Dashboard: Never trust an email or app notification alone. Log in directly to your official Shopify admin or PayPal account to verify if a genuine transaction occurred.
  • Never Call Provided Numbers: Do not call any customer service numbers listed in a suspicious email, invoice, or text. Always navigate directly to PayPal to find official contact details.
  • Ignore Fake Invoices: If you receive an unexpected invoice or money request that you don't recognize, simply ignore and delete it.
  • Check the Sender: A real PayPal email will come from @paypal.com. Be highly suspicious of variations like @pay-service-support.com.

What to Do If You Receive One

  • Do not click any links, download attachments, or call any phone numbers.
  • Report the Phishing: If you received the phishing message via Shopify or the Shop App, forward the scam message to phishing@shopify.com so they can investigate and remove it. You can also review the Reddit Community Thread for more tips on handling this exact Shopify notification scam.
  • Report to PayPal: If it's a fake email or invoice, forward it to phishing@paypal.com.
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