"Reminder: You've still got a money request!" That was the subject line of the messages flooding my husband Barry's inbox for weeks. The first couple were concerning, then it was just downright annoying.
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He's not the only one getting them; there's a sneaky scam going around that looks totally legit -- because it actually comes from PayPal.
Let's take a closer look at how it works so you don't fall for it.
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First, you receive an invoice via PayPal. It might say something like, "Payment due for a purchase" or tell you a payment was processed due to a technical error.
It looks real because it was sent through PayPal's platform. They hope you'll panic and act without thinking. PayPal is a trusted platform, so when you see their logo and familiar format, it's easy to let your guard down.
PayPal allows anyone with an account to send an invoice, which scammers exploit to make it seem legit.
In the invoice notice is a phone number you can call for support. It's listed as PayPal's number, but it's someone ready to steal your money and info. All the scam emails I've reviewed had different numbers attached.
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Calling the fake support number is the worst thing you can do. The scammer might ask for your login details or payment card information to 'resolve the issue.' In some cases, they'll install malware on your device, stealing passwords and financial details in the background."
PayPal will never send invoices for random purchases you didn't authorize. If something seems off, trust your instincts and double-check before taking action.
I looked this one up for you: PayPal's real support number is 1-888-221-1161. They take calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT every day.
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When in doubt, your best bet is to contact customer service. They're much more familiar with scam patterns then most regular folks since they see them day in and day out. Plus, they can look into your account to tell you what is a legitimate request and what's not.
If you're sure the invoice is fake, delete it. But first ...
Report it to PayPal. Consider this your good deed of the day. Reporting scams doesn't just help you -- it helps everyone. When you flag fake invoices to PayPal, their team can track patterns, shut down scammers' accounts and warn others about similar tactics.
If you don't have two-factor authentication set up, don't wait. It only takes a minute. Now you'll get a code when you log in. Annoying? A little. But it's worth the extra step on any account tied to your finances.
Scams like this are sneaky, but they're easy to spot if you know what to look for. Share this with your friends and family so they don't fall for it.
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
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