Is PayPal Safe – 5 PayPal Scams & How to Avoid Them Easily

Paypal existed in the market long before Venmo, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. With millions of users worldwide, PayPal dominates the Digital Market industry.

Paypal is the most reputable tool used to send or receive money online. Though the platform was providing its services in 2002, Security is the major concern among the users.

Do they need to know if is PayPal safe? Then stick to the end.

PayPal platform is quite a secure company with the highest Consumer Protection Standards to keep its users safe.

However, in this Internet age, no system is completely risk-free. There is always a risk of Certain glitches or data breaches in any Company.

Since Paypal is not completely immune to Scams, read on to learn about is PayPal safe, Paypal Scams, and how you can avoid them.

Let’s get started!!

Is PayPal Safe?

PayPal’s website is secure and encrypted. Fund Safety and Security are the top priority of the Company.

It uses PayPal’s Standard Security features so that any information you share with the platform stays hidden from prying eyes.

Since your information is kept in one place, using PayPal is even safer than giving your Credit and debit card information directly to the website.

This method protects users from malware that skims Credit Card information from eCommerce Websites.

You can also check the difference between Paypal vs Payoneer and PayPal vs Stripe for the right choice for your business.

So this is all about whether is PayPal safe or not.

Security Policies Used by Paypal

Below, we are highlighting some of the security features and policies provided by Paypal to their users:

1. End-to-End Encryption

Every transaction you make through PayPal is end-to-end encrypted. It uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol to secure transaction data.

It means all your data becomes encrypted before leaving your device and stays encrypted until it reaches the receiver end.

Hackers who try to steal the data will see only encrypted data packets instead of the content.

2. It Checks the Integrity of the Browser

Paypal is used to check the integrity of the browser before logging in to your Account.

It contains whether your browser is capable of sending data through the Internet securely or not.

If your browser does not meet PayPal security protocols, it won’t let you log in. By doing so, Paypal is hoping to stop MITM attacks.

3. Two-Factor Authentication

Paypal provides Two-factor Authentication which is very essential for safety purposes over is PayPal safe.

It means that when someone tries to log into your Paypal Account, one time PIN will send to your registered phone number.

Without entering the pin, you can’t gain access to the Account.

What Are the Common PayPal Scams, and How to Avoid Them?

Paypal Scammers use lots of tricks to scam users. See them one by one:

1. Paypal Phishing Scams

Phishing scams exist everywhere in many forms. Phishing is when a fraud email is sent to the user claiming that the mail is from Paypal or another legitimate Company.

The email asks victims to tap on the link provided and login to their Paypal Accounts. Sometimes, the mail contains the text that if you do not take action, your Account will be suspended.

When the Victims tap on the link, it captures their login credentials. Later this stolen information is used to make unauthorized payments from Paypal Accounts.

No matter how secure the platform is, Phishing scam will always exists. It is because they used to target the users directly for their credentials. To stop Phishing scams, users need to train themselves.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams?

In that case, PayPal users need to determine whether the email they received is legitimate. To find out whether the email is fake or authentic.

Follow the tips mentioned below:

• Always look for Spelling or Grammatical Mistakes.
• It is good the check the Email address. The legitimate email from Paypal will end with @paypal.com
• Look at the opening line. It must contain your name. However, you must stay careful if you get mail from Dear Sir/Mam.
• Do not click on any link without checking. Just over your mouse over the link, The preview will show you whether the link is indeed from Paypal or a fake one.

2. Internet Scams

Besides Phishing, many Internet scams befooled people and steal their data. This scam does not originate from Paypal itself.

Rather it happens due to Social Networking sites, Games, forums, or other activities you do on the Internet. Some of these scams are- Romance Scams. Easy money investment scam, Virtual items winning scam, or more.

How to Avoid Internet Scams?

• Do not send money to Strangers.
• If someone offers you Heavy returns on investment, do not trust it mindlessly.
• Use a dedicated PC/laptop to do online transactions. Never surf the internet to scroll through social media websites and play games on this device.

3. Paypal Shipping Address Scams

While ordering something online, scammers used to provide an invalid shipping address.

After that, they contact the delivery company to update their address and send the package to the new one.

Meanwhile, they used to complain to Paypal that they had not received the package yet and asked for a refund.

Scammers smartly reroute the package to the correct address, and since PayPal is unaware of the fact, he may grant the refund.

How to Avoid Shipping Address Scam?

• Once the payment is made, do not accept the Request for an address change
• Before granting the Refund, Paypal must ensure whether the item is delivered.

4. Fake Charities Scam

Scammers used to set up fake charity Accounts, create an emotional story to befool you, and ask for donations to help the victim.

How to Avoid It?

Before paying to the Charity account, it is important to double-check whether the Charity Account you are paying to is fake or authentic.

5. Fake Payments Scam

Scammers send the merchants a fake Paypal Payment Confirmation email and ask them to send the goods.

Sellers do believe in this fake mail and send the goods. Later, he realizes that it is a scam.

Since no transaction is made, Paypal cannot recover the items.

How to Avoid Fake Payments Scam?

• Before sending goods, the sellers must ensure whether the payment is made.
• They can even Report to Paypal to confirm.

What to Do if You Get Scammed?

If you become a Victim of a Paypal scam, you need to take the following steps immediately:

• Notify Paypal about the scam immediately. It would help if you went to Paypal Resolution Center to report the scam. If you take this step immediately, you will get a refund.
• To report the scam, use the Report the Problem feature in the Paypal Resolution Center. After that, select the transaction to dispute and follow the on-screen instructions.
• To secure your Paypal Account, you need to change the Password.
• Lastly, Report the scam to the police. Reporting the police will help to recover your funds.

Tips to Secure Your Paypal Account

Paypal Account Security is a major concern among buyers and sellers. Whether is PayPal safe or not we have put together some tips for it.

By following these suggestions, you will reduce the risk of data breaches.

1. Always Create a Strong Password for Your Account

Often many frauds are done by the close ones. The Password you create must not be predictable.

Most people used to choose their date of birth as the password, which your close ones can easily crack. Always create a strong password that combines letters, symbols, and alphabets.

2. Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card/bank Account

Linking a debit card or bank account with Paypal is damn easy. However, we should avoid it. Instead, linking a Credit card with your Paypal Account will deliver an extra layer of security.

If fraud occurs and you use a Debit Card, the bank Customer support is less efficient than Credit Card. The credit Card Company will take full charge of it and thus provide an extra layer of protection from fraud.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

It is always advised to enable two-factor Authentication to your Paypal Account. Since this feature is disabled by default, you must manually turn it on.

To turn it on, follow the steps below:

• First of all, log in to your Paypal Account.
• Tap on the Gear icon at the top right corner of the screen.
• Go into the Security tab.
• Click on the Set Up button next to two-step Verification.
• Follow the on-screen instructions, and you are Done.

4. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi to Access Your Paypal Account

Is PayPal safe over public Wi-Fi? So, using public Wi-Fi to access your PayPal account is not safe at all.

It does not matter whether you are using the Wi-Fi to check your Paypal Account balance or transfer money; some skilled hackers may decipher your passwords and access your Accounts.

If you are outside the home and need to access the Paypal Account, it is recommended to turn on your mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi.

5. Monitor Your Account

Our final tip is that it does not matter how much money you have in your Paypal account; it is advised to keep a regular check on your Account. Make sure that there are not any unknown transactions.

Summing Up

Most scams could be more sophisticated. If you feel off, it’s time to step back and think twice if is PayPal safe.

If you know all the scams on the internet, you will easily identify and stop anything happening with your Paypal Account.

If you have been a victim of any fraud, you need to report it to the police and Paypal. They will investigate the case and further assist you in solving the matter.

Finally, this guide about is Paypal safe ends here. Thanks for reading!!