How to Spot Fake PayPal Payment Notification Emails Targeting Australian Sellers

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Spot Fake PayPal Payment Notification Emails Targeting Australian Sellers. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Fake PayPal payment notification emails are a common phishing scam targeting Australian online sellers. Fraudsters send messages that appear to come from PayPal, claiming a customer has paid for an item and urging you to ship goods immediately. In reality, no payment has been made, and once the goods are sent, the seller loses both the product and the money. This guide explains how to spot these fraudulent emails and protect your business.

Common Warning Signs

• The sender address does not end in @paypal.com.au or @paypal.com
• The email uses a generic greeting such as "Dear User" or "Dear Customer" instead of your full name or business name
• Urgent language demanding you ship an item before confirming funds in your account
• Links that do not lead to the official PayPal website when hovered over
• Spelling mistakes, poor grammar, or inconsistent formatting
• Attachments claiming to be payment receipts or invoices

How to Verify a Genuine Payment

1. Do not click any links or open attachments in the suspicious email.
2. Open your web browser and go directly to https://www.paypal.com.au by typing the address manually.
3. Sign in to your PayPal account using your usual credentials.
4. From the account dashboard, select Activity or Transaction History.
5. Check whether the payment from the buyer appears as Completed and the funds are available in your balance.
6. If no matching transaction exists, the email is fraudulent. Do not ship any goods.

PayPal will never ask you to ship an item before the payment shows as completed in your account. Always verify funds directly through the PayPal website or mobile app.

What to Do If You Receive a Fake Email

1. Do not reply to the email or contact the sender.
2. Forward the complete email, including headers, to [email protected].
3. Delete the email from your inbox and empty your deleted items folder.
4. If you have already shipped goods based on a fake notification, report the matter to ReportCyber and contact your financial institution.

Never ship goods based solely on an email notification. Always confirm the payment has cleared in your PayPal account before dispatching any order.

Protecting Your Business

• Enable two-factor authentication on your PayPal account.
• Regularly review seller protection policies on the PayPal website.
• Train staff to recognise phishing emails and verify payments before fulfilling orders.
• Keep your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software up to date.

If you need assistance securing your business email or reviewing suspicious messages, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services.

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