Scam warning
Fake PayPal Bill
You get an email that looks like a PayPal bill for something you never bought, often hundreds of dollars. It tells you to call a phone number to cancel. The person who answers is a scammer.
Also called: PayPal invoice scam, PayPal refund scam, Fake invoice scam
The one thing to remember
Don't call the number on the bill. Log in to PayPal yourself to check. If the bill isn't there, it's fake.
How it happens
- An email arrives that looks like a PayPal invoice, for things like antivirus software or Bitcoin.
- It says to call a phone number if you didn't make this purchase.
- The “agent” says they'll refund you, but need to connect to your computer.
- They pretend they refunded you too much, and ask you to send the extra back with gift cards.
- Sometimes they “transfer” you to your bank. That's a fake bank, run by the same scammers.
Warning signs
- A bill for something you never bought.
- A phone number to call to cancel it.
- Threats that your account will be closed.
- Being asked to pay with gift cards.
- Being asked to install a program like AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
- Being “transferred” to your bank during the call.
What to do
- Don't call the number, click links, or open attachments.
- Open the PayPal app or type paypal.com yourself and look at your activity.
- Forward the fake email to [email protected], then delete it.
- If you let them on your computer, turn it off and get it checked.
Last checked: October 31, 2026