PayPal scams are scams carried out through fake emails or links to a fake PayPal site that asks you to enter personal payment details. Scammers often use social engineering tactics to persuade users to click fake PayPal links and enter their credit card details or send them money.
Getting scammed on PayPal is a nightmare situation. Even if you don't fall for a phishing scam, you could receive a fake product, pay for an item that never arrives, or be targeted by the many other types of scams that use PayPal.
The Problem with your account email scam
They will often provide a link where you can log in to your Paypal details but will then be redirected to another website where they could steal important information from you or transfer your funds to their account.
Once into your account, someone can draw money from any linked account as well as make other unauthorized PayPal accounts in order to make purchases. The way someone gets access to your account is by somehow discovering your password -- by guessing it, stealing it or getting it via online "phishing."
To receive money on your PayPal account, you'll just need to provide the sender with one key piece of information: the email address your PayPal account is registered under.
Know who you are dealing with. Don't list someone else's address on your PayPal account. Verify your suppliers and don't send money to someone you don't know. Only ship items to the address on the Transaction Details page.
What is the safest way to accept payment? Besides cash, a certified check is the safest way you can receive a payment to your business.
With PayPal, you receive money when someone sends a payment to your email address or mobile number. Once that happens, we'll send you a message letting you know you have money available. You can access the money you receive on your PayPal account home page.
If you do receive a message from someone saying they want to send you money, the first step is to report the message or phone call to the authorities. You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission to see if someone else has received a similar message.
The most common money transfer scams always include at least one of the following: A request from someone you've never met. Someone in a crisis that you can't tell anyone else about. A money transfer is the only form of payment accepted.
Ask the sender to cancel the transaction immediately — in many cases, the sender can simply contact the app's customer support to cancel the transaction. If the sender refuses to do so, contact the app's customer support yourself, explain the situation, and ask them to reverse the transaction.
Quoting its helpful advice: “Rule Number One: Never send money to someone you've never met in person.” AARP also has a Fraud Watch Network Hotline (877-908-3360).
How to protect yourself from fraudsters. ACTION Fraud recommends taking the following advice to stay safe: When making a purchase, be suspicious of any requests to pay by bank transfer or virtual currency instead of safer methods, such as credit card or payment services such as PayPal.
The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.
Most Common Scams by Age
Americans ages 18-24 fell victim to fake check and money order scams, most whereas Americans 65 and older were most commonly victims of tech support scams.
Buyer Protection ensures you get what you pay for. When something goes wrong with your eligible transactions, PayPal Buyer Protection has you covered. Get a full refund if an eligible order isn't significantly as described, or doesn't arrive at your doorstep.
Your information is secured.
When you pay with PayPal, your financial information is never shared with the seller, and you can pay using only your email address and password. If you forget your login, you can recover it by yourself or Contact us if you need help.
Payment methods to avoid
While every type of payment method has some disadvantages, debit cards are probably the riskiest form of payment. Debit cards do offer the convenience of credit since you don't have to carry cash around or write a check, but the funds you use are actually tied to your bank account.
Fraudsters often hack into these accounts through phishing schemes. In one of the most common, fraudsters send emails to trick customers into revealing usernames and passwords. The fraudsters then log in to your customers' accounts, change the passwords, and make unauthorized purchases.