High riskEmail

Fake PayPal Email Scam

This scam sends an email claiming your PayPal account is limited or shows unusual activity, urging you to 'confirm' your details through a link that leads to a fake login page designed to steal your password.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Payment service impersonation scam
Main red flag
An email saying your PayPal account is limited or restricted unless you confirm details through a link.
What to do first
Do not click the link. Open PayPal yourself by typing the address or using the app to check your account.

What to know first

This scam sends an email claiming your PayPal account is limited or shows unusual activity, urging you to 'confirm' your details through a link that leads to a fake login page designed to steal your password.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: An email saying your PayPal account is limited or restricted unless you confirm details through a link. Do not click the link. Open PayPal yourself by typing the address or using the app to check your account.

Related tricks worth knowing: the PayPal Payment Pending Scam and the Fake Bank Alert Text Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Email Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Tell-tale red flags

  • A warning that your account is 'limited', 'restricted' or 'suspended' unless you act
  • A link that does not lead to the official paypal.com domain
  • Pressure to confirm your password, card or bank details to 'restore access'
  • Generic greetings like 'Dear Customer' instead of your name
  • Threats that your account will be closed within a short deadline

Staying safe

  • Do not click the link or enter your login details
  • Open PayPal directly by typing paypal.com or using the official app to check for any genuine notices
  • Forward the suspicious email to PayPal's reporting address and then delete it
  • Make sure two-step verification is switched on for your account

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'PayPal: We noticed unusual activity on your account. Your access has been limited until you confirm your information. Resolve now: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: An email saying your PayPal account is limited or restricted unless you confirm details through a link.

Steps if you already acted

  • Do not enter any further details on the page
  • Change your PayPal password immediately, and anywhere you reused it
  • Turn on two-step verification and review linked cards and bank accounts
  • Watch your statements and report any unexpected transactions to PayPal and your bank

Common mistakes

  • Do not reply to the email with any personal information
  • Do not call any phone number listed in the email
  • Do not enter verification codes on a page you reached through the link

Scams like this one

High risk Bank & Payment

PayPal Payment Pending Scam

This scam shows a fake 'payment on hold' message claiming funds will be released once you ship an item or confirm details, but no real payment exists.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Bank Alert Text Scam

This scam sends a text claiming suspicious activity on your account, then steers you to a fake login page or a 'fraud agent' who pressures you to move money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Fake Refund Email Scam

This scam emails that you are owed a refund and asks you to confirm bank or card details, or to accept a refund that is really designed to steal your money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Does PayPal limit accounts by email like this?
PayPal does sometimes contact users about account issues, but a genuine notice can always be confirmed by logging in directly. An email pushing you to a link to 'confirm' your password is a common phishing pattern.
The email uses the PayPal logo, so is it genuine?
Logos and branding are easy to copy. Scammers often reproduce the PayPal look exactly. Judge the message by where its links go and whether it asks for sensitive details, not by its appearance.
How can I tell a real PayPal email from a fake one?
Real PayPal emails normally greet you by your full name and never ask for your password by email. When in doubt, ignore the email's links and check your account through the official site or app.
What if I already entered my password?
Change your PayPal password straight away and on any other account where you used it, then turn on two-step verification and contact PayPal to secure your account.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.