Warning: This fake PayPal email scam is everywhere right now

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.

Here's how it goes down

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.

It's a bogus invoice, of course

PayPal allows anyone with an account to send an invoice, which scammers exploit to make it seem legit.

Related:

How to spot and stop it

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.

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.

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.

Lock down your account for extra security

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.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.