ScamGuard

💳 PayPal Scam Checker — Verify Emails & Invoices Free

Fake PayPal emails and bogus invoices are one of the most common scams online. Paste the suspicious message below — ScamGuard tells you instantly if it's real or a scam.

What ScamGuard checks for

  • Detects fake PayPal sender addresses
  • Flags bogus 'unauthorized payment' invoices
  • Catches PayPal login phishing pages
  • Real-time brand impersonation scoring
  • Plain-English verdict + next steps
  • Free — 3 checks, no signup

⚠️ Red flags and warning signs

  • Sender domain isn't @paypal.com
  • Invoice for a product you never bought
  • 'Call this number to dispute' (real PayPal disputes happen in-app)
  • Generic greeting, not your real name
  • Link goes to paypa1.com / paypal-secure.com / similar
  • Urgent threat to close your account

How to protect yourself

  • Never click links in PayPal emails — open paypal.com directly
  • Enable 2-factor auth on your PayPal account
  • Dispute suspicious invoices inside the PayPal app, never by phone
  • Forward phishing to phishing@paypal.com
  • Check unfamiliar invoices with ScamGuard before paying
  • Watch your bank statements for unfamiliar PayPal charges

ScamGuard tools you can use right now

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a PayPal email is real?

Real PayPal emails always (1) come from a @paypal.com address, (2) greet you by your full name not 'Dear customer', and (3) never include a login link. When in doubt, don't click — open paypal.com in your browser and check your account directly. Or paste the email into ScamGuard for an instant verdict.

What does a fake PayPal invoice scam look like?

A real-looking invoice for hundreds of dollars from a company you've never heard of, with a 'Call this number if you didn't authorize' line. The number goes to scammers who remote-control your computer. PayPal will never tell you to call to dispute — dispute from inside the app.

I clicked a fake PayPal link — what now?

Don't enter your password. If you did, change it at paypal.com immediately and enable 2FA. Check 'Sign in & security → Active sessions' and log out anything you don't recognize. Then run a malware scan and watch your bank for unfamiliar charges.

How do I report a PayPal phishing email?

Forward the full email (with headers) to phishing@paypal.com — they confirm receipt within minutes. Then delete it. Also submit it to ScamGuard so we warn others about the campaign.

Why are scammers sending me PayPal invoices I never bought?

It's a tactic called 'invoice scam'. They abuse the real PayPal invoicing system so the email comes from a genuine PayPal address. The trap is the phone number on the invoice — ignore it and dispute the invoice inside PayPal.

Is the PayPal scam checker free?

Yes — 3 free checks, no signup. Paste any suspicious PayPal email, invoice or link and get a verdict in seconds.

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Try ScamGuard free

1 free check, no signup needed. Then create an account for unlimited investigations.

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