A quick guide for spotting the “call customer support” PayPal scam—and what to do next.
If you get an email that looks like it came from PayPal—especially one that says a big payment is “pending” and urges you to call a phone number—pause before you act. This is a scam that’s been making the rounds, and its success hinges on one thing: getting you on the phone with a fake “support” person who can pressure you in real time.
People have been comparing notes about these messages on the r/PayPal subreddit, and the pattern is consistent: the email is just the hook. The phone call is where scammers try to collect sensitive information—or talk you into actions that give them access.
How this PayPal scam works
- You receive a convincing “payment” email claiming you’ve received money or that a large deposit is pending.
- The message creates urgency (act now, call immediately, fix this before it posts).
- It pushes you to call a phone number that is not PayPal.
- On the call, the scammer plays “support” and may ask you to “verify” details, provide account/banking information, or approve steps that put your money at risk (including remote access in some versions of this scheme).
One Reddit user described the intent plainly: scammers want you to call, then use the conversation to gather details and attempt to move money through connected payment systems. Whether or not their story matches your situation, the important takeaway is the same—the phone call is the trap.
Member tip: If you didn’t initiate the transaction, don’t use the email to “fix” it. Instead, verify directly in the PayPal app or by typing PayPal’s website address into your browser.
Red flags to watch for
• An unexpected payment or large dollar amount that you don’t recognize.
• Urgent language designed to override your logic (“act now,” “pending,” “your account will be charged”).
• A phone number presented as the solution—especially if it’s the most prominent part of the email.
• Requests for sensitive info (passwords, one-time codes, bank details) or pressure to download software.
Why scammers use PayPal as the disguise
PayPal is widely used for everyday purchases, online marketplaces, and sending money to friends and family—which makes it a familiar name and an effective disguise for scammers impersonating trusted brands.
Cybersecurity firm ESET has noted that PayPal consistently ranks among the most impersonated companies in phishing scams. The playbook is simple: create urgency and fear, so you react first and verify later.
If you call the number, fraudsters may ask for PayPal account details, banking information, or try to convince you to give them remote access to your device to “reverse” a transaction. Those steps can put any linked accounts and cards at risk.
What PayPal says (and the safest way to verify)
According to PayPal’s guidance on spotting phishing, PayPal does not include phone numbers in unsolicited emails or invoices—and it does not ask you to resolve account issues by calling a number provided in a message.
Translation: if the email is trying to route you to “support” through a phone number it provides, treat it as suspicious and verify independently.
PayPal has said it works to protect customers from evolving phishing scams—another reason to rely on in-app verification instead of email instructions.
Best practice: Open the PayPal app (or go to PayPal by typing the address yourself) and check your account activity. If there’s no matching transaction there, the email isn’t legitimate—no matter how official it looks.
Important nuance: Some scams involve legitimate-looking money requests or invoices that may appear in your PayPal account. If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t call any number from an email—use PayPal’s official help channels in the app/website to review and dispute it.
You may also see this described as a “telephone-oriented” scam: the email is designed to push you into a phone call, where social engineering is much easier for the scammer.
What to do if you receive one of these emails
- Don’t call the number. Even “just to check.”
- Don’t click links or open attachments in the email.
- Verify independently: open the PayPal app or type PayPal’s website address yourself and check recent activity.
- Report the message to PayPal: forward it to phishing@paypal.com (PayPal’s published reporting address).
- If you need help, contact PayPal through the app (not through the email).
- Add extra protection: enable two-factor authentication on PayPal and on the email account associated with it.
When it comes to fraud, your best tool is a short pause. Scammers rely on surprise and urgency; you win by slowing down and verifying through official channels.
• Report to PayPal: forward suspicious emails to phishing@paypal.com or contact Customer Service through the PayPal app.
• Report to the FTC: file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help identify and disrupt larger fraud campaigns.
If you called the number or shared information
- Stop contact immediately. Hang up and don’t continue the conversation.
- Change passwords for PayPal and the email account tied to it (use strong, unique passwords).
- Review PayPal activity and linked accounts/cards for unauthorized transactions.
- If you installed remote-access software, remove it and run a security scan.
- Contact your bank or card issuer right away if you see suspicious activity.
- Report it to PayPal (phishing@paypal.com) and the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov).
Staying scam-smart (now and next month, too)
Scams like this tend to evolve—more polished emails, more believable language, and sometimes the use of AI to sound more legitimate. The good news is that the defenses don’t change: verify in-app, don’t trust surprise urgency, and keep extra security (like two-factor authentication) turned on.
• Slow down: urgent money messages are a common fraud tactic.
• Verify: use the official app or type the website yourself.
• Protect: enable two-factor authentication and review account activity regularly.
• Report: phishing@paypal.com and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Share: send this alert to a family member or friend—these scams work best when people haven’t heard of them yet.
If you ever feel unsure, take a breath and double-check before you act. A quick verification step can save hours of cleanup later—and we’re always rooting for you to keep your money safe.
Sources & helpful links
• Newsweek (original article): “PayPal users target new scam” (Catherine Clark).
• PayPal Help Center: “How do I spot a fake, fraudulent, or phishing PayPal email or website?”
• PayPal Security: “Report suspicious messages” (includes forwarding to phishing@paypal.com).
• Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• ESET: “PayPal scam: fake emails” (phishing overview).
• Community examples: r/PayPal threads discussing the ‘payment received’ / ‘pre-fund confirmation’ emails.
For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1 [ow.ly].
Photo credit: Александр Довянский – stock.adobe.com