PayPal users should be on the lookout for a new scam that's making the rounds in personal and business email accounts. The scam involves a fake payment request that imitates a PayPal invoice to target individuals who might pay upfront or call the number listed in the "seller note to customer" section.
What Does a PayPal Invoice Scam Look Like?
If you receive an email that appears to be an invoice from PayPal, be cautious. While the email may come from PayPal's standard email address and have clickable links to appropriate areas on their website, there are a few red flags to look out for.
For instance, if the email begins with "PayPal User" instead of your name, it could be a sign that the request is not legitimate. Also, be wary of grammar and formatting errors, such as odd capitalization, spacing, sentence phrasing, and other quirks that may be present in the seller's note.
What Happens When You Click View and Pay Invoice?
If you do happen to click "View and Pay Invoice," you'll be taken to a payment processing screen where you may notice some of the same issues that were present in the email. For example, the seller's note to the customer may imitate the PayPal Help Desk and provide a fake phone number.
How Do You Report a PayPal Invoice Scam?
If you suspect that you've received a fake invoice from PayPal, it's important to report it immediately to phishing@paypal.com. PayPal's help center can also assist with login and security-related questions.
How Do You Avoid PayPal Invoice Scams?
One of the best ways to prevent PayPal invoice scams is to be aware of their existence. It's crucial to pay close attention to details like the invoice number, billing address, writing errors, and the seller note section.
If you're ever unsure about the legitimacy of an invoice, don't use the phone number listed in the email. Instead, contact the company directly through the helpline listed on their website.