Fake PayPal Emails Scam Sellers Out of Thousands
Action Fraud is sounding the alarm on a rising tide of fake PayPal emails targeting online sellers. Between January and September 2020, a staggering 21,349 reports flooded in, revealing losses topping £7.8 million.
The crooks are zeroing in on sellers offloading jewellery, furniture, and gadgets on online marketplaces. Their trick? Sending convincing emails pretending to be PayPal, making sellers believe they’ve been paid — but the cash never arrives.
Sellers Beware: Don’t Ship Before You’ve Got Paid
Victims often send off items only to realise the payment was fake. They’re left out of pocket and out of their goods. Action Fraud warns: always confirm payment before posting anything.
- Watch out for buyers with negative feedback or brand-new accounts.
- Never click suspicious links or download attachments from weird emails.
- Don’t hand over personal or financial details under any circumstances.
Spotting the Scam: What to Look Out For
Scam emails often contain glaring spelling mistakes and dodgy grammar. Real PayPal emails will address you by your full name or business name — not vague greetings. Plus, they’ll never ask for your full password, bank, or card details.
PayPal’s top tip: don’t click links in emails. Instead, log directly into your PayPal account via your browser to check for payment notifications. Hover over links to check their destination before clicking — if anything looks fishy, steer clear.
Stay Safe and Report Fraud
Protect your cash by using secure payment methods like PayPal’s digital wallet. It offers buyer protection in case goods don’t arrive or aren’t as described.
If a deal looks too good to be true or items are massively discounted, be on alert — it could be a scam.
“If you believe you’ve fallen victim to fraud, report it immediately to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.”
Don’t get duped. Check twice, ship once, and keep your hard-earned cash safe.
