A new PayPal scam is one of the hardest to spot, because it uses PayPal’s own invoicing structure and processes to work. The email notification comes from PayPal's legitimate email system because the scammer is abusing PayPal's genuine invoicing feature. Scammers are taking advantage of the fact that anyone can use PayPal’s invoicing service, and not everyone is yet aware of that fact.
Learn more about this potentially dangerous PayPal invoice scam below, and how to avoid it.
Bogus Invoice PayPal Scam Explained
The scam starts with a PayPal user receiving an email saying they owe money for a service. This might be for anti-virus software, or for a purchase of cryptocurrency. The amount on the invoice is usually several hundred or thousands of dollars, enough to make the user alarmed.
The invoice includes a note along the lines of, “If you didn’t authorize this charge, call us immediately,” and a phone number to call. The phone number is typically placed in the Notes or Memo section of the invoice, which is the first red flag.
The user calls the number, and the real scam begins. The person who answers the phone pretends to be a PayPal representative who needs access to your computer or account to resolve the issue. If the scam victim grants this request, the scammer gains access to their PayPal account, including any associated bank cards and personal information.
Why the Bogus Invoice PayPal Scam Works
The main reason that people fall for the PayPal invoice scam is that the initial invoice and email aren’t just convincing. They’re genuinely real. Scammers achieve this by:
- Collecting email addresses from hundreds of PayPal accounts (or other stolen data sources)
- Setting up a free PayPal account
- Sending invoices out to multiple email addresses and waiting for responses
Anyone can send a PayPal invoice, but not every PayPal user realizes this. Legitimate PayPal invoice notifications are sent from official PayPal email addresses because scammers are using PayPal's real invoicing system—not spoofed emails.
Protect Yourself From the PayPal Invoice Scam
PayPal states that you should never call a number that’s written on a PayPal invoice. PayPal won’t ask you to contact them this way. If you know you didn’t order something, don’t pay for it or try to contact the “seller.” You won’t be charged, as a PayPal invoice only takes money from you if you interact with it.
You can report any suspicious emails or messages to [email protected]. Forward the relevant email, then immediately delete it. Never click any links in the original email.
Get more information on the latest PayPal invoice scams and other forms of online fraud by signing up for Scam Detector’s Scam Alerts. You’ll receive regular updates straight into your inbox to help you bank and shop online with confidence.
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