PayPal
/r/n- /r/n
- If you are offered free money, there <strong>WILL</strong> be a catch.</li>\r\n<li> If there is a problem with a transaction when using PayPal, it’s better to <strong>cancel</strong> the whole thing and start afresh.</li>\r\n<li> In regard to charities, always do your <strong>research</strong> into the body. These are good links: <a title=\"https://www.charitynavigator.org/\" href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.charitynavigator.org//">Charity Navigator</a> & <a title=\"http://www.charitywatch.org/\" href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"http://www.charitywatch.org//">Charity Watch</a>.</li>\r\n<li> Keep an out for tell-tale signs: <strong>grammatical mistakes</strong>, grand claims, exclamation marks (!).</li>\r\n<li> You can also report fake emails to PayPal directly to help more people:</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Visit the <a title=\"https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/article/visit-the-resolution-centre-to-see-the-next-steps-for-your-cases-faq3967\" href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/article/visit-the-resolution-centre-to-see-the-next-steps-for-your-cases-faq3967/">PayPal Resolution Centre</a></li>\r\n<li>Click <strong>Report a Problem.</strong></li>\r\n<li>Select the <strong>transaction ID</strong> you want to dispute and click <strong>Continue.</strong></li>\r\n<li>Select <strong>I want to report unauthorized activity.</strong></li>\r\n<li>Follow the instructions to report the issue.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>We would also <strong>recommend</strong> a <strong>cybersecurity</strong> product such as <a title=\"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/trend-micro-check.html?utm_medium=check.trendmicro.com&referral=check.trendmicro.com\" href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/trend-micro-check.html?utm_medium=check.trendmicro.com&referral=check.trendmicro.com\%22>Trend Micro Check</a> which is designed to combat things such as disinformation and scam emails.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>So to summarize, keep your eyes peeled for these PayPal scam attempts! And if you’ve found this article a useful and/or interesting read, please do <strong>SHARE</strong> with family and friends to help keep loved ones secure and protected.</p>"}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? 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If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.","description":null,"listItems":[{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167891","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - iOS","titleUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scamadviser/id6480509109","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167944","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - Android","titleUrl":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.scamadviser","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android."}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-169734","data":{"title":"NordVPN","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-13382109","linkTarget":"1","text":"NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-171573","data":{"title":"Incogni","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-15718702","linkTarget":"1","text":"Incogni automatically removes your personal data from data brokers that trade in personal information online, helping reduce scam and identity theft risks without the hassle of manual opt-outs. Reclaim your privacy now!"}}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"align":"left","text":"Popular Stories","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Blogs","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"items":[{"id":1406,"title":"7 Best VPN Services for Security, Speed, and Privacy","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/7-best-vpn-services-for-security-speed-and-privacy","excerpt":"In a nutshell: A good VPN protects your privacy with strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and fast protocols like WireGuard. The best VPNs also offer wide server coverage, leak protection, and easy-to-use apps for all devices. For 2025, the top providers are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and Mullvad—each excelling in speed, security, or value.\r\n\r\nIn an age where every click is tracked, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is no longer just a luxury—it's an essential tool for digital privacy and security. A VPN works by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, masking your real IP address and protecting your sensitive data from prying eyes.\r\nBut with hundreds of providers out there, how do you sort the secure from the suspect? This guide breaks down the non-negotiable features of a quality VPN and highlights the 7 top-rated services for 2025.\r\nWhat to Look for in a Good VPN: The 4 Non-Negotiable Pillars\r\n1. Ironclad Security Features\r\n\r\nStrong Encryption: AES-256, the gold standard.\r\nSecure Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway. Avoid PPTP.\r\nKill Switch: Ensures no accidental IP leaks.\r\nLeak Protection: Covers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC.\r\n\r\n2. Verified Privacy Practices\r\n\r\nNo-Logs Policy: No activity or metadata tracking.\r\nIndependent Audits: Verification by third parties.\r\nSafe Jurisdiction: Prefer countries outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.\r\n\r\n3. High-Speed Performance\r\n\r\nFast Protocols: WireGuard and equivalents.\r\nLarge Server Network: Less crowding, more reliable speeds.\r\n\r\n4. Essential Usability Features\r\n\r\nMulti-Device Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers.\r\nSimultaneous Connections: One account, many devices.\r\nUnblocking Power: Netflix, Hulu, BBC ","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false},{"id":1475,"title":"Data Breach Victim? Your Emergency Action Plan Starts Now","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/data-breach-victim-your-emergency-action-plan-starts-now","excerpt":"How to Protect Yourself and Your Family After a Data Breach\r\nWhen Your Data Falls Into the Wrong Hands\r\nJust received that terrifying notification? Or perhaps you've noticed suspicious activity in your accounts? Take a deep breath. A data breach, the unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive, protected, or confidential data, is a deeply unsettling event. It can plunge you into a world of worry, bringing risks from financial losses and identity theft to significant emotional distress and reputational damage.\r\nThe numbers don't lie: according to a 2024 report, the number of data breach victim notices has grown by a staggering 211% year-over-year. This isn't just a distant threat; it's a stark reality many individuals face. This year alone, we've seen major organizations like Adidas and Qantas grapple with high-profile data breaches, affecting countless customers. This underscores a critical truth: nobody is untouchable. 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PayPal Scams
Author: Trend Micro
November 18, 2021This article is from Trend Micro.
On the whole, PayPal provides a great service in safely transferring money online. It is simple and secure and comes with many checks and balances to help protect users. Nonetheless, given its popularity, scammers aggressively utilize the platform’s name in their criminal activity. In this article, we’ll provide a run-down on common PayPal scams, how they work and what you can do to avoid being a victim.
Common Examples
1. PayPal Account Problems
This is perhaps the most common scam. Scammers get in touch via email to “inform you” that there is a problem with your account. In the email there will be links which you are instructed to follow in order to resolve the issue. These are phishing links, the aim being to get you to enter personal information on the criminal’s fake log-in webpage. See below example.
PayPal email scam and fake PayPal login page. Source: Twitter
Text: Your account has been limited
Dear Customers We’ve limited your account. After a recent review of your account activity, we’ve determined you are in violation of PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy. Please log in to confirm your identity and review all your recent activity
Secure your account
If you have questions about any of these activity or your account, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Thank you for being a PayPal customer
Sincerely, PayPal
1. Advance Payment Fraud
This is another common PayPal scam. In it, victims will receive the miraculous news that they are owed an amount of money: inheritance, lottery, compensation etc. The victim will be asked to make a small advance processing payment (using PayPal) and perhaps fill out a form with their personal data.
If you are unlucky and/or inexperienced enough to fall for this, the sender disappears upon payment, and any personal data you shared will end up on a database — most likely on the dark web.
2. Overpayment Refund
This one is more humanly complex than the above — and particularly crafty. In this scam, a buyer sends a seller (you) the payment for goods. However, they send more than the sale price. The buyer points to the “accident” and asks for a refund of the difference.
As soon as the seller/you do so however, the buyer/scammer immediately cancel the original transaction — thus making a profit with the difference you refunded.
3. Fake Charities and Investment Schemes
This horrible scam involves malicious requests sent out asking for donations to a fake charity. Often it will be requested via PayPal. Canceling the payment is no help if the scammer can withdraw the funds promptly —so you will need to check in advance. These schemes increase in frequency during/after a natural disaster.
Similar is the investment opportunity, seducing with promises of great risk-free profits. Again, the investment will be paid via PayPal.
Steps to Take
The following are some useful guidelines to help protect yourself:
- Always pay attention to the sender email addresses.
Source: PayPal
- If you are offered free money, there WILL be a catch.
- If there is a problem with a transaction when using PayPal, it’s better to cancel the whole thing and start afresh.
- In regard to charities, always do your research into the body. These are good links: Charity Navigator & Charity Watch.
- Keep an out for tell-tale signs: grammatical mistakes, grand claims, exclamation marks (!).
- You can also report fake emails to PayPal directly to help more people:
-
- Visit the PayPal Resolution Centre
- Click Report a Problem.
- Select the transaction ID you want to dispute and click Continue.
- Select I want to report unauthorized activity.
- Follow the instructions to report the issue.
- We would also recommend a cybersecurity product such as Trend Micro Check which is designed to combat things such as disinformation and scam emails.
So to summarize, keep your eyes peeled for these PayPal scam attempts! And if you’ve found this article a useful and/or interesting read, please do SHARE with family and friends to help keep loved ones secure and protected.
Report a Scam!
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