“WARNING: YOU STILL REQUEST MONEY!” That was the subject of a flood of messages in my husband, Barry’s, inbox for weeks. At first it was worrying, then it was downright annoying.
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He wasn’t the only one who received them. There’s a sneaky scam that looks legit — because it’s actually from PayPal.
Let’s take a look at how it works so you don’t miss out.
Don’t deceive yourself with scams that hackers don’t want me to share.
Here’s how it goes down.
Lucky for us, scammers use the same trick. This is becoming common enough. If you’re careful, it’s easy to spot.
First, you’ll receive an invoice through PayPal. It might say something like: “Payment is due for purchase” or notify you that payment was processed due to a technical error.
It looks real because it’s sent through PayPal’s platform. They hope you’ll panic and act without thinking. PayPal is a trusted platform. So when you see familiar logos and patterns, You don’t have to worry easily.
There is a picture of a woman using a phone. (Istock)
Related: Don’t fall for it! Hackers try to trick you into deceiving yourself.
Of course it was a fake invoice.
PayPal allows anyone with an account to send invoices. which scammers take advantage of to make it appear legitimate.
In the invoice notification is a phone number where you can contact for support. It is listed as a PayPal number, but someone is ready to steal your money and information. All the scam emails I’ve checked have different numbers attached to them.
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Calling a fake support number is the worst thing you can do. Scammers may ask for your login details or payment card information to ‘fix the problem’. In some cases, they will install malware on your device. It steals passwords and financial details in the background.”
Related:
How to notice and stop it
This March 10, 2015 file photo shows a sign outside PayPal’s headquarters in San Jose. California (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
PayPal will not send invoices for random purchases that you did not authorize. If something looks unusual Trust your instincts and double check before proceeding.
- Check details: View sender’s email and transaction history If it’s not a company or person you know It is likely to be a scam.
- Double check the invoice recipient: That’s another obvious red flag in this case. All the emails I’ve seen have someone other than my husband listed in small text at the top. Look carefully.
- Do not call any phone numbers listed: This is very clever with strange invoices, calls, documents, emails, texts, whatever. Do not use the contact information that is included. Go to the official website to find out.
I found this out for you: PayPal’s actual support number is 1-888-221-1161. They answer calls from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT every day.
This crime has skyrocketed 400% — How to protect yourself
When in doubt Your best bet is to contact customer service. They are more familiar with deception schemes than normal people. Because they see those patterns day in and day out, they can also review your account to tell you which requests are legitimate and which are not.
If you’re sure the invoice is fake, delete it, but first…
Notify PayPal Consider your good deeds today. Reporting a scam will not only help you; but also helps everyone. When you report a fake invoice to PayPal, their team can track down the format. Close the scammer’s account and warn others about similar tactics.
- Log into your PayPal account, then go to Problem Solving Centerwhere you can report suspicious invoices
- Even easier is to forward the email to phishing@paypal.com To alert the security team
Related: 3 immediate steps if you fall victim to a scam
A picture of a person holding a stack of 20 dollar bills. (Istock)
Lock your account for extra security.
If you don’t have two-factor authentication set up, don’t wait. It only takes a minute. Now you will receive a code when you log in. Annoying? A little. But it’s worth the extra step in an account linked to your finances.
- Log into your PayPal account on your browser. Click on Settings icon – safety – 2-Step Verification– You can use the app to authenticate or receive a code by text message. Pro tip: Authenticator apps are a more secure option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.
Such deception can appear hidden. But they’re easy to spot if you know what to look for. Share this with your friends and family so they don’t miss out.
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