pending invoice suspicious email

[jsantana831]

hi everyone. I sent an invoice to a client to pay for an item. I received an email stating that in order to release funds, they need tracking information. The email came from [removed] with body of email looks like paypal transction ID etc. how do I know this is legit? the invoice in paypal says pending and payment overdue.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@jsantana831 

SOUNDS LIKE THIS SCAM?

They encourage you to accept a direct Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails may go into your junk/spam folders.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.

[jsantana831]

sounds just like it thank you!