1. The most common types of PayPal scams
Phishing
The most common scam is to receive a fraudulent e-mail or SMS claiming to be from PayPal. These messages invite you to click on a link to “verify your account” or resolve a “security issue”.
👉 Signs of a false message :
- Suspicious e-mail address (example : service-client-paypal@securelogin.xyz).
- Spelling mistakes or urgent tone.
- Link to a site that imitates PayPal.
Refund scam
A subtle but common scam is to receive a bank transfer or a cheque from your bank. PayPal from a stranger. If this happens to you, your first reaction may be to want to pay the money back. Be careful, that's exactly what scammers are looking for!
- Fraudulent transfers: The funds transferred to your account often come from a hacked or stolen account. By paying back the money, you become an unwitting accomplice to the scam.
- Non-existent money: Scammers use pending transfers or fictitious amounts, which then disappear from your account once repaid.
- Legal risk: If funds are linked to fraud, you could be held liable in the event of litigation or investigation.
👉 Tip: Do not touch the money or make any refunds. Contact your bank or PayPal immediately to report the transaction.
Payment outside the platform
Some scams encourage buyers or sellers to complete the transaction outside of PayPal, thus cancelling all the protection guaranteed by the platform.
2. How to identify a PayPal scam
- Analyze the sender's e-mail address: Official messages only come from @paypal.com.
- Never click on suspicious links: Log on directly to official website or app PayPal .
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true offers: Incredibly low-priced products often conceal scams.
- Check the site URL: Fake sites imitate PayPal, but the URL will be slightly different.
3. What should I do if I suspect a scam?
- Do not reply or click on any links.
- Forward the e-mail or SMS to the following address : phishing@paypal.com.
- Log in to your account via the app or the official website to check whether an action is actually required.
- Report the scam to your bank and to the relevant authorities in the event of a successful attempt. Pharos, the French Ministry of the Interior website
4. Protection offered by PayPal
PayPal PayPal offers several tools to protect its users:
- Purchase protection: Refund in the event of non-receipt or non-compliant product.
- Reinforced authentication: Activate two-step validation to secure your account.
- Anti-phishing system: PayPal analyzes transactions and sends alerts in the event of suspicious activity.
Constant vigilance is essential
PayPal scams are constantly evolving, but you can reduce your risk by adopting a few simple reflexes. Never share personal or banking information via e-mail or SMS, and always verify transactions directly on your PayPal account.
In 2024, nearly 50,000 PayPal fraud complaints were filed in France. These figures are a reminder of the importance of staying informed and cautious.
💡 Bonus tip: Trust labels like SaferBuy to buy from certified sites and avoid unpleasant surprises. 🌐
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