Received invoice from one seller which I didn't make any purchase. Is it a scam?

[MichaelCHK]

Hi all. I received a notification from PayPal that someone sent me an invoice to make a payment of USD 500 for purchasing a anti virus software which I didn't make. Could I just leave it like that with out paying or how do I cancel or report this?

[mad4wdw]

I too today got a notification and email that I had sent $899.99 to a name and Bitdefender LLC. Never seen this before and it scared the heck out of me seeing the message saying it had been sent. I went in and saw that message was from the scammer and not paypal and had the option to cancel which I did, as well as block the person (probably not very helpful, they will just use another email etc and keep scamming) I have forwarded the email to the phishing address as well. I have to admit this is a little scary. I know the funds won't be sent unless I click the pay button but there is always the worry of something glitching and funds somehow getting sent. Seems to be so many scammer using this now, it would be good to have the option of blocking all requests, as this situation might get a whole lot bigger.

[cmor7]

I got an email from Paypal this morning which appeared to be genuine, stating I had a money request from someone I had never heard of. It said if the transaction is unauthorised to ring the number shown, which I did. I was told I was in a queue which would be three minutes, then I was told to leave a message so I just hung up. I then logged on to Paypal and rang their help number (totally different number) where I was told I could just cancel the transaction, which I did. However, I still have a couple of concerns -  re the first phone number I rang and also how did this person get my details? I am going to cancel my account once this is sorted out.  

[ballagh101]

I did this as well - and when i rang the Paypal number was answered by what i can only describe as an incompetent rude customer service agent with an extremely high level of background noise.  First he asked for my email address, which i gave him; then he requested that i use the phonetic alphabet; i did, then he swore and asked me again to use the phonetic alphabet (I'm a veteran and expert user of this, so no problem for me - he seemed unable to understand); I then asked for the call to be escalated twice; he then swore at me again and hung up.

Is there a UK/Ireland/USA call centre number?

[cmor7]

The second number I rang was the UK one but they are about as much use as a chocolate teapot! It was just a recorded message and none of the options applied to my situation. Paypal is very handy but the customer service is absymal, especially in a case like this. Surely when there is a potential fraud situation there should be a line where you can actually speak to a human being?  

[kernowlass]

@cmor7 

@ballagh101 

Scam money request or invoice that shows in your Paypal account..

Scammers harvest email addresses and send out money requests or invoices hoping that some of those email addresses are linked to an open Paypal account.

The unsuspecting recipient is given a fake Paypal phone number in the 'notes' section added by the scammer.
If you did call that number (DO NOT) to query the transaction the scammer tells you that they need to access your computer / Paypal account to cancel that transaction for you.
They will then hack your computer or Paypal account.

Paypal never put phone numbers on emails or in money requests/invoices, they tell you to contact them via help/contact bottom of their website pages.

If there is a cancel option then cancel it, if not ignore it and it should time out at 30 days.
As long as you don't click to pay it then no money would be transferred.

[BenGunn]

Thanks.  That's reassuring.  I had a similar situation today.  8 identical email money requests  supposedly from Paypal.  I assumed they were fake but when I checked into may Paypal account they were all there!  So tried to resolve with Paypal and it went downhill fast.  First tried calling on the Paypal phone number (not the one provided by the scammer in the email). I was told there was a 1 hour wait time but was offered a callback which I accepted.  Sure enough I got a call back but it wasn't a human and I was put on hold listening to messages telling me to deal with the issue online.  After 30 minutes I gave upk.  So then tried to use the online Paypal Assistant which asked for the Transaction IDs.  I provided them and the Assistant claimed they didn't exist even though they were clearly posted on my dashboard!

Tried phoning again and this time I wasn't offered a callback but instead the chance to message with a human.  Sent my first message one hour ago and yet to get a reply.

So I've cancelled the transactions per your suggestion and, once I know the issue is resolved I'll look for an alternative to Paypal.  I know customer support is abysmal with most online businesses but, considering I was dealing with attempted fraud, this is about the worst I've experienced.

[cmor7]

BenGunn - I hear you! I'm getting fed up with companies making millions off us then not providing adequate customer service.  I have had issues with both Norton and Amazon in the last few months and it's so annoying. The so-called "assistants" that companies provide are absolutely useless so I know I'll be cutting my nose off to spite my face but I am definitely closing my account. 

[cmor7]

Thanks for that kernowlass, it's much appreciated. Unfortunately, I did ring the number on the email but after being told to leave a message I just hung up so hopefully no damage done.

[jaromeTN]

PayPal should shut down until this is fixed. There is nol way to get real help. They do not answer the phone numbers, nor do they have an email address.

[Ceedee3]

I had an email with an unauthorised request for a large amount. I didn’t click any links in the email but came straight to PP and the request for payment is here. Concerning. As I understand it as long as I don’t press the authorised request I’m ok? I panicked and took my card off ….