HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued an alert about an emerging PayPal invoice scam targeting residents across the state. The scheme manipulates PayPal’s payment request system to deceive individuals into providing personal information or paying fraudulent charges.
Scammers reportedly send repeated payment requests to victims via PayPal, often including urgent language and a toll-free number in the attached message. Unbeknownst to the recipients, the number links to the scammer, who then attempts to extract sensitive information.
“Scammers exploit familiar platforms like PayPal to gain trust and legitimacy,” Attorney General Sunday warned in a statement. “This serves as a critical reminder to Pennsylvanians to remain alert to the growing sophistication of cyber scams.”
To safeguard against such schemes, consumers are advised to verify the sender’s email address. Only emails from “service@paypal.com” should be trusted. Additionally, if payment requests appear unfamiliar or suspicious, it is best to ignore them entirely. For concerns, individuals should contact PayPal’s official customer service through its website. Those affected are also encouraged to report the scam to the Office of Attorney General.
This latest advisory emphasizes the increasing prevalence and complexity of online fraud. Preventing victimization requires widespread awareness and proactive steps from both individuals and authorities. The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection states that it remains available to assist Pennsylvanians who encounter such scams.
By staying informed and alert, consumers can be better equipped to outmaneuver cybercriminals and protect their financial and personal security.
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