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PayPal’s widespread adoption means it’s popular with scammers looking for a victim.
If you check your spam folder right now, you probably have multiple email messages attempting this one.
It’s not strictly limited to PayPal and may be used on any peer-to-peer payment service.
Send over the fee and you’ll receive the full amount in return.
The problem is that the fortune doesn’t exist in the first place.
This could be a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, or even more.
The bigger the eventual payout, the more the scammer may attempt to solicit in the first place.
Being told that you have $750,000 waiting makes the $7,500 release fee seem small in comparison.
The scammer then provides a fake shipping address, to which the item cannot possibly be delivered.
They may also try and pick the item up in person from the shipping depot.
The scammer walks away with a full refund and the item, while the buyer ends up empty-handed.
Scammers often use this to purchase high-value items that can be easily resold.
verify you use a signature on delivery to track shipping so that you have evidence should you need it.
Overpayment Scams
The overpayment scam takes many forms, particularly among scammers whocold call their victims.
The seller then sends the item in the mail, believing the transaction to be genuine.
The seller agrees to do so, after which the scammer contacts PayPal and flags the transaction as fraudulent.
This is another reason that many online sellers only send items to valid billing addresses.
The scam could work with any payment processor, but PayPal is often chosen due to its prevalence.
The scam involves calling a phone number to get the problem rectified.
Only pay for items you know you have purchased.
So-called “payment pending” scams turn this dynamic on its head.
There are no protections in place for sellers who send items before receiving payment.
If a buyer is insisting on doing things this way, block them and move on.
This scam isnot limited to PayPal and has happened on Zelleand other peer-to-peer payment services.
These scams often show up at times of crisis, like during a natural disaster or weather event.
Not all of these people are scammers, and many are legitimately in need.
you’re free to look up US charities (tax-exempt organizations) using theIRS website.
If you have your doubts, consider donating elsewhere.
Once again, this problem is far from limited to PayPal.
How to Avoid PayPal Scams
Remember to inspect any emails from PayPal carefully.
see to it shipping and billing addresses match, or you won’t be covered by Seller Protection.
Understand that Seller Protection has limits.
Confirm buyers' addresses exists before sending items, else you may fall for a shipping address scam.
Related:8 Common Discord Scams (and How to Protect Yourself)
