PAYPAL has a warning for users on its website and you should take note to avoid losing everything.
According to the payment platform, cybercriminals often take advantage of a money trick that can empty your account.
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The scam involves a criminal sending you a convincing-looking invoice or money request.
It may not look like it for a lot of money and you might be tempted to pay it but that would be a huge mistake.
PayPal explains: “These scams are trying to trick you into sending money to a fraudster or providing your personal or financial details to them.
“Be wary of any messages that are alarmist, warning you to call them quickly to resolve an “issue” on your account.”
PayPal says that this scam can happen if a few different ways.
It says: “You receive an invoice or money request through PayPal, but for a product/service/crypto you never ordered. Don’t pay it.”
Cybercriminals can make very convincing bogus invoices but if you’re convinced you don’t owe money then it’s likely a scam.
Report the fraudulent message to PayPal and then delete it.
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PayPal says you may also “receive an invoice or money request through PayPal, and the bad actor has included an alarmist note.
“The note asks you to call their fake customer service number.”
Avoid calling suspicious numbers.
If you want to contact PayPal you can find the relevant information on its official website.
Finally, PayPal says: “You receive a fake invoice or money request by email, designed to look like a real PayPal email.”
PayPal phishing emails are an extremely common form of scam.
Stay vigilant and follow easy techniques to avoid falling for a scammer.
HOW TO AVOID A PHISHING SCAM
Firstly, you should be thorough when checking who the email is from.
Even if it looks official, double-check the email and look for any spelling mistakes or slight abnormalities in the sender’s email address.
Never feel pressurised into opening an attachment and avoid clicking the phrase “enable content.”
You should also be wary of links in emails.
Never feel rushed to respond by time pressures like “your account will be closed today”.
Scammers hope you’ll panic and send the money or information they require without thinking first.
If you’re certain an email you have received is a scam, report it to your email provider and delete it.
