This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
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If you’ve been receiving invoices from PayPal but don’t remember buying anything, then scammers may be trying to get money or your information. It can be scary to see an invoice for a large amount, but these scams and other fraudulent activities are easy to notice on PayPal. Keep reading and we’ll walk you through the common signs of an invoice scam and the next steps to take. We’ll even cover other prominent scams you may run into so you can feel safe whenever you use PayPal.
PayPal Invoice Scams: Quick Overview
PayPal invoice scams involve someone sending an invoice for a product or service you didn’t buy. They may use urgent language or fake contact links to steal your personal information. Avoid sending money to unknown invoices and report them through the PayPal site.
Steps
What to Do if You’re a Victim of an Invoice Scam
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Change your passwords and security questions for your online accounts. If you accidentally gave out any login information for your bank, email, or other accounts, immediately visit the sites where you use those credentials. Create a new, secure password for each of your accounts so scammers are unable to log in and access your information. If you have the option, change any security questions you listed as well.[8]
- Avoid reusing the same password for different accounts so they’re more secure.
- If a website allows it, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security. When someone tries to log into your account, they also have to enter a unique code that’s sent to your phone or generated in an authenticator app.[9]
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Run antivirus software on your device to remove any viruses. If your computer is behaving oddly after following a link in an invoice scam, run a malware scan using Windows Security or Malwarebytes on Mac. The scan will detect any software that’s harming your computer and uninstall it right away to prevent any information from being stolen.[10]
- Some common signs of malware are pop-up windows, slow or poor performance, unusual error messages, and computer crashes.
- Keep your computer updated with the most current version because they usually have stronger malware protection.
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Monitor your PayPal and bank statements regularly for fraudulent activity. Check your PayPal and any linked bank accounts each day after falling for a scam to monitor the transactions. If you notice any charges showing up that you didn’t make, immediately contact the support or fraud protection team to let them know you’re not the one making the transactions.[11]
- You may have to file an official dispute with your bank or with PayPal in order to prove that you aren’t the one making the transactions.
Expert Q&A
Tips
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Always be cautious when something sounds too good to be true because it usually ends up being a scam.Thanks
Warnings
- Never give out your personal info or banking information to other people you don’t know.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-invoice-scams-and-money-request-scams-on-paypal-help1059
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-invoice-scams-and-money-request-scams-on-paypal-help1059
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-invoice-scams-and-money-request-scams-on-paypal-help1059
- ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-invoice-scams-and-money-request-scams-on-paypal-help1059
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-phishing-paypal-email-or-website-help164
- ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mobile-payment-apps-how-avoid-scam-when-you-use-one
- ↑ https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2021-10.html
- ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/lc/webapps/mpp/security/suspicious-activity
- ↑ https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/phishing-attack-prevention.html
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-common-scams-and-how-do-i-spot-them-help201
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/security/learn-about-scams
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/security/learn-about-scams
- ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mobile-payment-apps-how-avoid-scam-when-you-use-one
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/security/learn-about-scams
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-common-scams-and-how-do-i-spot-them-help201
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-common-scams-and-how-do-i-spot-them-help201
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-common-scams-and-how-do-i-spot-them-help201
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-common-scams-and-how-do-i-spot-them-help201
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/security/learn-about-scams
- ↑ https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-are-%E2%80%98friends-and-family%E2%80%99-payment-scams-help1165