Top 4 PayPal Scams Making Rounds in 2025

If you use PayPal (and let’s be honest—most of us do), you need to hear this: scam activity is off the charts right now.

We’re seeing a huge spike in scams tied to rent payments, online shopping, and secondhand sales—whether it’s sneakers or furniture, scammers are sliding into inboxes with fake emails, bogus invoices, and sneaky “friendly” payment requests.

In fact, McAfee recently reported a 600% spike in PayPal-related scam emails since January 2025. That’s not just a bump—it’s a full-blown chaos in inboxes..

So if you’ve ever asked:

• Are there PayPal scams I should worry about?
• How do PayPal scams work?
• Is it safe to use PayPal Friends and Family?

This article is for you. We will break it all down in simple, human terms—with real examples, clear warning signs, and tips that will keep your money where it belongs.

Let’s get into it.

1. The “You’ve Been Charged” PayPal Scam Email

What it looks like:
You get an official-looking email claiming you were just charged hundreds of dollars for something you didn’t buy, usually tech gear, security software, or Bitcoin.

The email urges you to call a number if you didn’t authorize the charge. Sounds helpful, right? Wrong.

The number connects you to a scammer posing as a PayPal rep. They may ask for your login details, install remote access tools, or walk you through “canceling” the transaction in ways that actually give them access to your account or device.

Why it works: It creates panic. People act fast when they think their account has been hacked.

How to stay safe:

• Never call phone numbers listed in suspicious emails. Go directly to the official PayPal site to check for real charges.
• Don’t click links in any email unless you’re 100% sure it’s from PayPal (legitimate emails will end in @paypal.com).
• Fake emails often include urgent language like “respond within 48 hours” or “account will be suspended”—these are red flags.

2. The Fake PayPal Gift Card or Survey Scam

Scammers know people love free stuff. That’s why they send emails or social media posts promising PayPal gift cards in exchange for filling out a quick survey, or just as a reward for being a “valued user.”

Click the link, and you’ll land on a fake site asking for your PayPal login, name, and even your security questions.

Why it works:
It looks harmless. A short survey? A $100 bonus? Sounds like a nice surprise.

But here’s the reality:
PayPal isn’t handing out free money just for clicking links or filling out forms. Scammers use these tricks to harvest your info and hijack your account.

How to stay safe:

• Be suspicious of any offer that seems too good to be true.
• PayPal will never ask for personal information like passwords or security answers through surveys or promotional emails.
• Always check the email address and URL. If the address doesn’t end in @paypal.com or the link leads somewhere shady, exit immediately.

3. The PayPal Friends and Family Scam

This one is especially painful because it starts with someone asking for a favor—or just trying to avoid fees.

If you’re buying something online through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a forum, the seller might say:
“Can you send the payment using PayPal Friends and Family? It helps me avoid the transaction fee.”

Sounds reasonable, right?

Here’s the problem: Friends and Family payments aren’t covered by PayPal’s buyer protection. If you send money this way and never receive the item, you can’t open a dispute or request a refund.

Scammers know this, and that’s why they insist on using it.

How to stay safe:

• Only use Friends and Family for actual friends and family.
• Always use Goods and Services when paying for items or services from people you don’t know well. Yes, there’s a small fee, but it comes with protection.
• If someone insists on Friends and Family for a purchase, that’s a red flag.

4. The “Action Required Within 48 Hours” PayPal Scam

This one’s the digital equivalent of someone yelling “FIRE!” in a crowded room. You get an urgent-looking email from what appears to be PayPal, warning that your account will be suspended, locked, or frozen unless you take action immediately, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

The subject lines are textbook panic-inducers:
“Urgent: Action Required”
“Your PayPal Account Will Be Limited”
“Immediate Verification Needed to Avoid Account Suspension”

Inside, there’s usually a link urging you to “verify your details” or “secure your account.” But that link? It’s a trap—leading you to a phishing site that looks like PayPal but exists solely to steal your login and personal info.

Why it works:

Scammers prey on fear. If you think your money or account is at risk, your brain skips straight to “fix it now” mode. That’s when people click without thinking.

How to stay safe:

• PayPal doesn’t demand action on a ticking clock. If there’s an issue with your account, they’ll notify you within your PayPal dashboard—not just by email.
• Don’t trust links in these emails. Instead, open a new browser tab, go to PayPal.com, and log in the usual way to check for any real alerts.
• Be suspicious of phrases like “you must act within 48 hours” or “your account is at risk.” That kind of drama is classic scam behavior.

So… How Do PayPal Scams Work?

Most PayPal scams follow the same formula:

• Create urgency – They make you think something bad (like a charge or account lock) is happening, and you must act fast.
• Pretend to be official – The emails or websites look just real enough to fool you into trusting them.
• Trick you into clicking or sharing info – Once you act, they’ve got you.

But now you know what to look for—and how to respond.

7 Easy Ways to Protect Yourself from PayPal Scams

1. Go straight to the source – If something looks fishy, log in directly at PayPal.com, not through a link in an email.
2. Turn on two-factor authentication – It’s an extra layer of security that helps keep your account safe even if your password gets stolen.
3. Check your account regularly – The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the faster you can act.
4. Never trust urgency – Real companies don’t demand you act within 24–48 hours or else.
5. Ignore requests to use Friends and Family with strangers – It’s buyer-beware if you send it that way.
6. Report suspicious messages – Forward scam emails to phishing@paypal.com to help others avoid falling for the same trick.
7. When in doubt, don’t click. Always double-check before engaging.

Bottom Line: Stay Sharp and Scam-Smart

Yes, there are PayPal scams. And yes, they’re getting more convincing by the day. But that doesn’t mean you have to fall for them.

The good news? With a little awareness and some simple precautions, you can stay one step ahead.

So the next time you get a weird PayPal email, take a breath, check the source, and remember:

The best way to outsmart scammers is to slow down and think.