PayPal is a popular online payment platform, it’s also a popular target for scammers. Here are some common PayPal scams to watch out for, with some tips on how to avoid them.
Phishing Scams: Scammers will send an email or text message that looks like it’s from PayPal, asking you to update your account information. Don’t click on any links in the message instead go directly to the PayPal website to log in and check your account. If there’s a problem with your account then PayPal will notify you in-app.
Selling Scams: If you’re selling something online, be wary of buyers who offer to pay more than the asking price, and then ask you to send the excess amount back via PayPal. This is a classic overpayment scam, once the payment clears the scammer will dispute the transaction and get their money back, leaving you with a negative balance.
Payment Scams: Be careful of buyers who send you a payment and then ask you to send the item to a different address than the one on their PayPal account. This is another overpayment scam, and once the payment clears, the scammer will dispute the transaction and get their money back.
Fraudulent Payment Notifications: Scammers may send you a fake PayPal notification claiming that you’ve received a payment, and asking you to click a link to “confirm” the payment. Don’t click on the link! This is a phishing scam designed to steal your PayPal login information.
Fake PayPal Websites: Be cautious of websites that look like PayPal but have a slightly different URL. Scammers will create these fake sites to steal your login information. Always double-check the URL before entering your login information, and make sure it’s a secure website and shows https:// at the start of the domain.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your PayPal account safe and avoid becoming a victim of these scams. Stay vigilant, if something seems too good to be true then it probably is!
