PayPal scams
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
PayPal scams involve fake invoices, phishing emails pretending to be from PayPal, and overpayment schemes. PayPal will never ask you to send money to keep your account active or click a link to verify your identity. Always log in directly at paypal.com.
PayPal is one of the most impersonated companies in phishing scams. Scammers send fake invoices, create lookalike login pages, and exploit the Friends & Family payment option (which has no buyer protection) to steal money from unsuspecting users.
How PayPal scams work
- 1
Fake PayPal invoice email
You get an email with a PayPal invoice for something you didn't buy (often antivirus software or crypto). The email looks real because scammers can send invoices through PayPal's actual system. The invoice includes a phone number to call for "cancellation," which connects you to a scammer.
- 2
Phishing login page
An email says there's a problem with your PayPal account and includes a link to "verify your identity." The link goes to a fake PayPal login page that captures your email and password.
- 3
Overpayment on marketplace sales
A "buyer" sends you more than the sale price via PayPal and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment was made with a stolen card or hacked account and gets reversed, so you lose the "refund" you sent.
- 4
Friends & Family trick
A seller on Facebook Marketplace or another platform insists you pay via PayPal Friends & Family. This type of payment has no buyer protection, so if the item never arrives, PayPal won't help you get your money back.
Warning signs
- An email asks you to call a phone number to cancel a PayPal invoice you didn't create
- A PayPal email asks you to click a link to verify your identity or update payment info
- A buyer overpays and asks you to send back the difference
- A seller insists on Friends & Family payment instead of Goods & Services
- The email sender address doesn't end in @paypal.com
- You're asked to send a PayPal payment to "confirm" or "verify" your account
Examples
Fake Norton invoice via PayPal
You receive a legitimate-looking PayPal invoice for $349.99 for "Norton LifeLock Renewal." You didn't order this. The invoice says to call a number to cancel. The person who answers asks for remote access to your computer to "process the refund."
PayPal account suspension phishing
An email says "Your PayPal account has been limited" and asks you to click a button to restore access. The button leads to a fake PayPal login page. After entering your credentials, scammers access your real account.
What to do
- Don't click links in suspicious PayPal emails. Go directly to paypal.com to check your account.
- If you received a fake invoice, report it to PayPal by forwarding the email to phishing@paypal.com.
- If you sent money to a scammer, file a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Center immediately.
- Change your PayPal password and enable two-factor authentication.
- Check your linked bank accounts and cards for unauthorized charges.
Report it to PayPal
Forward phishing emails to phishing@paypal.com, then open a dispute in the Resolution Center within 180 days of the payment.
Getting your money back
PayPal's Buyer Protection covers eligible purchases made with Goods & Services payments. File a dispute within 180 days. Friends & Family payments are not covered. If the scam involved unauthorized access to your account, PayPal may reverse unauthorized transactions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back from a PayPal scam?
If you paid using Goods & Services, you can file a dispute in PayPal's Resolution Center within 180 days. Friends & Family payments are not covered by Buyer Protection. If your account was accessed without authorization, PayPal may reverse those transactions.
How do I know if a PayPal email is real?
Real PayPal emails come from @paypal.com, address you by your full name, and never ask you to click a link to verify your identity. When in doubt, open a new browser tab and go to paypal.com directly.
Is it safe to accept PayPal payments from strangers?
Use Goods & Services for all transactions with people you don't know. Never accept overpayments. Be cautious of buyers who want to move the conversation off-platform.
Other companies scammers impersonate
Scams reuse their scripts across brands. If you were contacted about PayPal, these are the guides worth reading next.