PayPal impersonation scams

What this scam usually looks like

A message or email claims there is a problem with your PayPal account, an unauthorised payment, or money waiting to be claimed, and pushes you to a link to log in or confirm details.

What the real PayPal will never ask for

Your PIN, password, or one-time code
A fee to receive a payment or refund
You to approve a collect request to get money

Common fake message patterns

Sanitised examples - placeholders only, never real links or data.

Example only: PayPal: unauthorised payment detected - resolve now: [fake-link removed]

Common red flags

Urgent claims that your account is limited, locked, or under review
A link to log in or resolve a payment instead of using the official app
Requests to confirm your password, OTP, or card details
Notice of a payment you do not recognise to create panic
Sender address or link domain that is not the official PayPal domain

How to verify safely

Open the official PayPal app or type the official website address yourself.
Check your account and notifications directly inside the app.
Contact PayPal only through the help options inside the official app.
Never confirm codes or passwords from a message link.

What not to do

Do not click links in unexpected PayPal messages.
Do not share passwords, OTPs, or card details prompted by a PayPal message.
Do not call phone numbers contained in the message.

If you already clicked or paid

If you entered details on a fake PayPal page or paid, act fast: change your password from a trusted device, enable two-factor authentication, and contact PayPal and (if money or card details were involved) your bank through official channels.

See the step-by-step recovery guides and your country's reporting options.

Got a message like this?

Paste it into the checker to see the specific red flags and what to do next.

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PhishingPhishing is when a scammer pretends to be a trusted person or organisation to trick you into revealing passwords, codes, or financial details, or into clicking a malicious link.Brand impersonationScammers copy a trusted brand's name, look, and tone to make fake messages seem real.Fake payment confirmation scamA scammer sends a forged payment receipt or email so you believe you have been paid.

Official PayPal security & reporting

PayPal - security center Needs manual review

PayPal security and phishing-reporting guidance.

Source type: corporate · Last checked 2026-06-05
https://www.paypal.com/us/security

Related scam-type hubs

Related platforms

Report in your country

Related red flags

Sources

Official PayPal security pagesInformational

External sites open in a new tab and are not controlled by this website. We link to them for reference and do not endorse or guarantee their content. Always confirm you are on the official domain before acting.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a PayPal message is real?

Do not judge by how official it looks. Open the genuine PayPal app or type the official website yourself and check there. Never use links or phone numbers from the message.

Is this website affiliated with PayPal?

No. This page is educational only and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PayPal. The PayPal name is used only to explain common impersonation scams.

What should I do if I already entered details on a fake PayPal page?

Change your password from a trusted device, turn on two-factor authentication, and contact PayPal through official channels. If card or bank details were shared, contact your bank immediately.

Reviewed by the ScamMessageChecker.com editorial team. Last reviewed 2026-06-01. Spotted something out of date? Tell us so we can review it. See how we assess scam risk.