Request for money from someone I don't know for a service I haven't requested - anyone else today?

[NancyNNN]

I've received an email today from someone I don't know and I can't find at the company they are purportedly requesting money from, it's a software security company called Avast One - the fund request is for £579 - far more than I would ever pay for any sort of software security (the irony) so I can only assume this person has been hacked, although I don't know how they would have my email linked to my PayPal account - has anyone else had anything today or in the past like this?

[JillyD13]

Same here - same amount/company - just cancelled request but concerning all the same

[FSpiegel]

I've had same thing. How did you cancel the request? I can't see how to do it.

I've tried to report this transaction through the Resolution Centre but system won't let me complete the report.

I tried ringing Paypal (30 minutes ago) but unfortunately the line was so bad I couldn't hear what was being said to me so. I think the customer service person said he would cancel the transaction but it is still listed in my account so I have no idea what to do next. 

I also tried the chat line so maybe someone will get back to me but I'm very worried about this.

[avsTurner]

I also had this problem today and couldn't get an answer via the resolution centre either. I did find a similar post though that recommended forwarding the request to phishing@paypal.com, so I've done that. If you look in the activity section, you should be able to open the request and cancel it from there.

It's really concerning, as I don't see any way to block the requester or alert Paypal, as you would expect with any other kind of spam.

[Stormcrow51]

Similar, but a different company. Elza [removed] trying to collect £779.49 for VIPRE SECURITY.

Declined the payment request and blocked the requester in PayPal. 

Let's see if I get any follow up from this alleged company about not being paid for a non-existent order. 

[PayPal_Olivia]

Hi @NancyNNN, @JillyD13, @FSpiegel, @avsTurner, and @Stormcrow51,

Welcome to the community, and/or welcome back! Thank you all for your posts about unsolicited invoices received through the PayPal system. I'm very sorry for the concern and frustration you've experienced. 

If the invoice was sent fraudulently, the information given in this linked thread may be helpful to you. If the cancel option is listed on the invoice, it may be canceled and also reported at the same time. If the cancel option is not showing, you can forward to phishing@paypal.com the email that was received when the invoice was received. The team that investigates phishing will review it, and it will aid in our efforts to prevent this type of fraud in the future, along with some other steps we've already taken to mitigate and reduce activity of this kind.

Again, I'm very sorry that you've encountered this, but I'm very glad that you were skeptical and cautious! Thank you for coming to the Community Forum to report what you've seen. This definitely helps others!

Olivia