Is the PayPal invoice / “you were charged” email a scam?
YELLOW — be careful
Often a scam — but it can be a real PayPal email carrying a fake demand.
Scammers send real PayPal invoices or money requests (so the email genuinely comes from PayPal) for things you never bought, with a note and a phone number to “dispute the charge.” Calling the number is the scam — there's nothing to dispute until you pay.
How to tell
- A phone number to call
“Unauthorized charge? Call +1-8xx…” PayPal disputes happen inside your PayPal account, never via a number in the invoice note.
- You didn't buy anything
An invoice/request alone doesn't take money — it's pressure to make you call before you think.
- Crypto / gift-card resolution
Any “refund” that involves crypto, gift cards, or remote access is a scam, full stop.
Is there a real version?
A real unwanted invoice can simply be ignored or declined inside PayPal — open the PayPal app/website yourself (not via the email) and check Activity. Don't call numbers from the email.
What to do
Don't call. Log into PayPal directly to confirm nothing was actually paid. Cancel/decline the request there and report the message to phishing@paypal.com.
Got the exact message? Check it now.
Paste your version for an instant RED / YELLOW / GREEN verdict, the reasons, and a safe reply.
FAQ
The email really is from PayPal — how?
Scammers use PayPal's real invoice/request feature, so the email is genuine but the demand inside it is fake. The phone number is theirs, not PayPal's.
Will ignoring it cost me money?
No. An unpaid invoice or money request can't charge you. Just decline it inside your PayPal account.