Is this a valid SMS confirmation?

[RobertWein]

I started getting these messages, with a short-term validation code, but I don't know why.  I didn't make a transaction and haven't logged in for a bit.  Should I be nervous?

[PayPal_RachelK]

Hi @RobertWein,

Welcome to the community.

I do understand your concern with this. I can confirm these messages are from PayPal. Our secuirty system sends these messages to confirm it is you logging in or attempting to make a purchase.

Don't worry, if you did not give the code to anyone then they would not have been able to successfully login. To re-secure your PayPal account, please change your password and secuirty questions. Please make sure to make your new password secure. For example, do not share the same passwords for multiple online accounts. This can be done here. 

I hope this helps!

- Rachel 

[RobertWein]

I was pretty sure it was real, because of who it was from, and I know that your security is tight - but what I was wondering about if I should be nervous is should I wonder who's doing that?

[PayPal_Olivia · Accepted solution]

Hi @RobertWein,

Thank you for your reply! If you haven't attempted to log in manually but you're seeing these attempts, it could be a few things. 

First, if you have used any accounting software that's hooked up to PayPal, that might be it. Next, it could be someone with a mistyped email address that accidentally attempted to log in, thinking they were logging in to their own account. Last, it could certainly be someone maliciously attempting to access your account. 

The best thing to do would be to change your password as @PayPal_RachelK suggested, and if you have any reason to believe that there was access, maybe go one step farther and change the password on your email account, just to make sure that you're doubly protected. For your safety, don't use the same password on your email and your PayPal account. If there's any unauthorized activity on your account, be sure to report it right away.

I hope this helps!

Olivia